Russian Foreign Minister assessed relations with Armenia and Georgia

ArmInfo.We deal with relations with Armenia and Georgia as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Russian Foreign  Minister Sergei Lavrov said this on Wednesday at a meeting with  freshmen at MGIMO, referring to relations with Armenia and Georgia.

At the same time, the Russian minister pointed to the existence of  the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in which Russia played a key role in  calming it down last November. In this vein, he recalled the  trilateral statements at the level of the leaders of Russia, Armenia  and Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020 on the ceasefire and on January 11  of this year on unblocking transport and economic ties.

"This is not a one-day work, and the leaders of the three countries  are personally involved in it, as well as our military, who make up  the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh, on a daily  basis on the ground, to reduce tensions and establish confidence,"  Lavrov said.

He added that Russian border guards are also helping the Armenian  allies to resolve issues with their Azerbaijani neighbors.

As for Georgia, Lavrov continued, there are practically no relations.  "There is the heart of Russia's interests in Georgia and Georgia in  Russia. There is, of course, trade - not small one. We are the  leading partner of Georgia. There is tourism. Our people love to  visit Georgia, I myself really love this country. But, as for  official interstate, diplomatic relations, they do not exist, "the  Russian Foreign Minister said, recalling that the relations were  severed at the initiative of official Tbilisi.

According to him, the Russian side has repeatedly tried to stop  Georgia, but in vain.  Lavrov also said that Russia 1.5 years ago  wanted to make a reciprocal step to Georgia and also declare a  visa-free regime for Georgian citizens in order to visit the Russian  Federation, but an unpleasant and rude incident occurred against the  Russian parliamentary delegation, after which the Georgian side did  not apologize and a decision was held. The Russian minister added  that Moscow was then ready to resume regular flights.

"If Georgia really wants this, and does not play the Russian card to  protect the protection of the West, but wants to live normally with  us as a neighbor, then we are ready for this," the minister summed  up.