RUSSIA MENDING TIES WITH GEORGIA
PRESS TV, Iran
Source: AFP, Press TV
July 21 2007
Russia has resumed issuing study, work and business visas to Georgians
after a diplomatic row strained relations between the two countries.
The Russian embassy in Tbilisi said Friday Moscow is reversing measures
imposed during a bitter diplomatic row last year.
"Since July 19 the consulate has been looking at the documents of
those who wish to obtain a study, transit, work or business visa,"
embassy press attache Zarina Gabieva told reporters."The question of
the allocation of tourist visas is still under consideration."
Relations have been rocky between Moscow and Tbilisi since 2003,
when the pro-Western Mikheil Saakashvili came to power in the former
Soviet republic. They hit a new low when Tbilisi arrested four Russian
army officers on suspicion of spying in late September. This prompted
Moscow to withdraw its ambassador, impose financial sanctions against
its southern neighbor and deport hundreds of Georgians.
The tensions between Georgia and Russia also intensified during a
conflict in Abkhazia in 1992-3. The War was waged between Georgian
government forces and separatist forces supporting independence of
Abkhazia from the country with ethnic Georgians fighting on the side
of the government forces. A majority of ethnic Armenians and Russians
living in Abkhazia also fought on the side of Abkhazians. Russia’s
support for the Abkhaz and Ossetian separatists proved critical in
the de facto secession of these territories from Georgia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
