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Director of Open Society Georgia Foundation: I do not suppose there will be serious changes in Russia-Georgia relations in the near future â€“ EXCLUSIVE

Director of Open Society Georgia Foundation: I do not suppose there will be serious changes in Russia-Georgia relations in the near future <font color=red>â€“ EXCLUSIVE </font>

28 February 2008 10:36 (UTC +04:00)

Commenting on President Mikhail Saakashviliâ€™s statement that â€œGeorgia agrees to the settlement of the internal conflicts taking into account Russiaâ€™s interestsâ€, David Darchiashvili said the official Tbilisi should amend its statements.
â€œSuch statements were mostly made in 2006 and they were regarded as insult. In other words, the first period of Saakashviliâ€™s ruling was more hot-tempered, but after the recent presidential elections the rhetoric of the president and his people around him softened. But there are so many unsolved questions that I do not suppose there will be serious changes in the relations with Russia,â€ he said.
David Darchiashvili said Russia also had a role that the relations reached this point.
â€œPolitical arena of the neighboring state does not consider Georgia equal right rival and state. In general, Russia does not want to see any state, which gained independence after the collapse of USSR, as its rival. Moscow tries to dictate to the USSR nations to enter NATO or not and what agreements to sign. No sovereign state can accept it. If Russiaâ€™s attitude does not change, no changes can be expected in the near future. Maybe the settlement of the conflicts will soften a little. If Russiaâ€™s assistance is rejected in the settlement of the conflicts, as the opposition offers, it may result in the negative development of the relations.
David Darchiashvili stated that Georgia began to dialogue with Sukhumi and Tskhinvali.
â€œRussia should be participated in this dialogue. First of all, Georgia should begin to dialogue with Bagapsh and Kokoyta. This is the main problem. International society should strengthen its position against Russia. Georgia can eliminate tension in the conflict zone through dialogue. Russian political elite disapprove all steps of Georgia. If Georgia rejects to join NATO in order to meet national interests of Russia, there will not be independent state. Georgia which respected for its independence and national values should not take this step,â€ he said. David Darchiashvili sated that UN Secretary Generalâ€™s statement on strengthening role of international organization in the settlement of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is positive.
â€œTwo factors in the statement are interesting for me. Secretary General claims both of sides. Unfortunately, Secretary Generalâ€™s claims are based on incorrect information. Rumors by Georgia and Abkhazia have not formed correct view in international society. But Secretary Generalâ€™s views on Georgia are true. On the other hand, sometimes Georgian mediaâ€™s reports can not be correct. Therefore, correctness of information should be checked before making any statement,â€ he said. â€œSecretary General sated that, the format for the settlement of conflicts are not right and it impedes the solution to the conflicts. This is right. Current format should be checked and analyzed. I think that this is very important issue. It would better Georgia to take into account the instructions of Secretary General. Discussion of correctness and effectiveness of the format is great progress.