"Cooperation is developing" - Russia does not rule out the cancellation of the visa regime for Georgian citizens

According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Mikhail Galuzin, they do not rule out the cancellation of the visa regime for Georgian citizens. He spoke about this in an interview with the Russian propaganda media TACC.

Galuzini said in an interview that despite the absence of diplomatic relations, Russian-Georgian cooperation is "developing". He also spoke about the restoration of diplomatic relations and said that it depends on Tbilisi.

"In 2012, we unhesitatingly supported the course proposed by Tbilisi for the normalization of bilateral relations. And now, despite the difficult foreign situation and the absence of diplomatic relations, Russia-Georgia cooperation is developing. In the 11 months of this year, the trade turnover has increased one and a half times compared to the same period in 2021 and is 2.2 has exceeded a billion dollars.In parallel with trade, indicators are increasing in the direction of tourism and remittances.

As for diplomatic relations, I would like to recall that they were severed at the initiative of Tbilisi in 2008, [Tbilisi] unfortunately continues to ignore the possibility of its restoration with its political demands, which contradict the new reality in the region. Thus, the ball is still in the Georgian side.

"As for the prospects of canceling the visa regime for Georgian citizens traveling to Russia, we do not rule out positive decisions as soon as the necessary prerequisites for this are established," he said.