"We consider that everyone must celebrate New Year's Eve at home," Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said after completion of the 50th round of the Geneva International Discussions. He expressed hope that Gaprindashvili will soon return to his family.
"As for your doctor, the issue related to him is one of the most important issues. We have listened to the opinions of both parties, and we do hope that Gaprindashvili will return to his loved ones soon.
This issue cannot be high on the agenda any more and dealing with it is in our best interests. Do not ask me in what manner he will be released as you know he is not held in custody in the Kremlin.
I will not argue about the issue of occupation with you anymore as our positions have absolutely nothing in common. We believe that the issue of South Ossetia was resolved in 2008, and all talks on this subject ended then.
As for the issue of Gaprindashvili, this is a humanitarian issue, and we do think that everyone must celebrate New Year's Eve at home. I am aware of the arguments by both parties, and I am not going to comment on them now. I know the position by South Ossetia according to which he was not there for rendering medical services to anyone. Why he was there I do not know, though.
The only thing we are interested in at this point is to release the person, and put an end to similar instances," Rudenko said.
