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Majority of Georgians disapprove of country’s policy towards Russia - poll

27 July 2010 02:01 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The majority of Georgians disapprove of Georgia’s policy towards Russia, according to an opinion poll led by the U.S. National Democratic Institute (NDI), APA reports quoting RIA Novosti.
The poll, carried out for the NDI by the Caucasus Resource Research Center (CRRC) between June 24 and July 5, says 34% of 2,053 respondents across the country "fully disapprove" of Georgia’s policy towards Russia, while 9% of the respondents "fully approve" of it.
According to the poll, 61% of the respondents "fully approve," while 9% "fully disapprove" of the reopening of the Verkhny Lars checkpoint, the only land border crossing between Russia and Georgia, on March 1. It was closed in 2006 for reconstruction.
At least 80% of the respondents "fully approve," while 3% "fully disapprove" of the resumption of air travel between Russia and Georgia, which was suspended in 2006.
Private airline Airzena Georgian Airways began direct charter flights between Tbilisi and Moscow on May 24. In early June, Georgia gave the green light to Russian airline S7 to run the same route.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said earlier on Monday that the friendship between the Russian and Georgian people has deep roots.
"This friendship will never be spoiled by any politicians, will never be tarnished because it has stood the test of time and comes from the hearts of Russians and Georgians," he said.