An online meeting has been conducted between Zurab Abashidze, the Special Representative of the Prime Minister of Georgia for relations with Russia, and Gregory Karassin, the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs of Russia.
According to the Administration of the Georgian Government, at the meeting, they discussed economic, transport, trade, and humanitarian issues.
Mr. Abashidze focused on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, stressing that violation of human rights, illegal detentions, and increasing militarization of the region was commonplace. Emphasis was made on the Geneva International Discussions as the key format enabling Georgia and Russia to discuss security and humanitarian issues.
Gregory Karassin took an interest in Georgia's attitude to the so-called new Regional Consultation Mechanism (3+3). Zurab Abashidze said that Georgia did not plan to get involved in the initiative.
The reference was made to an increased turnover between the two countries in January-October 2021, with the turnover growing by 21.9% compared to the same time period of 2020, reaching $1,294 bln.
They stressed that infrastructure works near the Kazbegi-Lars customs checkpoint could not result in reduced traffic flow and cargo transportation volumes.
The two parties also focused on the 2011 Agreement on Basic Principles for a Mechanism of Customs Administration and Monitoring of Trade in Goods.
The parties showed readiness to contribute to activities by the working groups of experts and the agreement implementation process.
The date of the meeting within the Prague Format will be later specified.
