Russia and Georgia Demand Policy Radical Changes of Each OtherNovember 2, 2006 - 16:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgian FM Gela Bezhuashvili has held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of Security Council Igor Ivanov in Moscow. These are the first talks at that high level between Russia and Georgia after the latest differences poured into an open diplomatic conflict in September. In an interview with the BBC Bezhuashvili said, "We are interested in Russia's stance over the provinces that seceded from Georgia. We want Moscow to be our partner in that issue and help Georgia reunite. This is the essence of the issue in the Russian-Georgian relations. And the blockade and economic sanctions against Georgia will do no good and should be canceled." However, Ivanov accuses Georgia in escalation of the crisis and believes the relations will change when the Georgian leadership change their policy. Georgian MP, European Integration Committee Chair David Bakradze said, "It should be noted that Mr. Bezhuashvili arrived in Moscow from Baku, not from Tbilisi owing to Russia's sanctions. And the Minister going that way shows his readiness to dialogue." Moscow Institute of World Economy expert Alexander Krylov says Russia is not afraid to damage relations with Georgia: "It is important not only to gain new allies, but not to lose old ones. Moscow will first of all be guided towards countries, which showed themselves as our reliable allies. These are Armenia and the unrecognized republics," reports Golos Rossii. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | About 173 million drams and more than 30 beneficiary funds. "The Power of One Dram" is 4 years old In June 2020, the exclusive joint corporate social responsibility initiative of Idram and IDBank "The Power of One Dram" was launched. CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. |