VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Ms. Burdzhanadze, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to meet with you. We have known each other for a long time, but a lot of time has passed since we last met. If I'm not mistaken we last met at an event in St. Petersburg.
Unfortunately, Russia and Georgia have faced difficult times since then. You know Russia's position on these issues. We are prepared to develop ties with all political forces in Georgia. It is our pleasure to welcome you to Moscow as the leader of the Democratic Movement-United Georgia party. Russia is prepared to develop ties with civil society and the Georgian people.
Unfortunately, our efforts to build relations with some top Georgian officials have failed. Furthermore, I believe that it was the policies of these top officials that resulted in the tragedy we faced a year and a half ago.
But life goes on, and I am hoping we will be able to restore relations to what they were before the conflict between our countries with the help of those who are interested in maintaining friendly relations with Russia. We will look toward the future and deepen our ties.
As you know, a checkpoint was opened on the Russian-Georgian border several days ago following repairs. This will create new opportunities for direct contact between our peoples. But this is just a first, symbolic step toward deeper ties between our countries.
Nino Burdzhanadze: I agree that Russian-Georgian relations reached a tragic impasse these past few years. Still, I hope there is a way out.
I am convinced that it is in both Georgia's and Russia's interests to mend relations between our countries and our peoples. Friendly relations between Georgia and Russia are necessary for both the peaceful development of the region and the development of our two nations.
I am positive that we will find ways to mend our relations. We are fully aware that this will not be easy, but we must take steps in this direction.
I have no doubt that maintaining friendly relations with Russia is in the interest of the Georgian people as it is in the interest of Russia and the Russian people. It is absolutely necessary, and it is the duty of each citizen, especially those involved in politics. I believe it is necessary to take steps that will improve ordinary people's lives during these difficult times.
I believe that all of the difficult issues in Russian-Georgian relations must be dealt with candidly and on the basis of mutual respect and trust. This is extremely important.
Vladimir Putin: I completely agree. Thank you.
