“Red line”: diplomatic, political relations with Russia off table until withdrawal from occupied territories, says Georgian Parliament official

Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday said “Georgia will not have diplomatic or political relations with Russia until Russian troops are withdrawn from the country’s occupied territories and Georgia’s territorial integrity is fully recognised by Moscow”.

In his remarks, Samkharadze noted that as for trade, economic and humanitarian relations, it was in the country's interest to have as many opportunities as possible to trade with different countries around the world.

“We have a firm and declared position regarding Russia that will not change under any circumstances. There will be no diplomatic or political relations with Russia until it withdraws its forces from the occupied regions and recognizes Georgia’s territorial integrity. This is the stance we have taken in the past, hold today, and will continue to hold as long as our party is in power. This is a red line for us”, the Parliament official said.

While underscoring Georgia’s principled stance on political engagement with Russia, Samkharadze also addressed economic and humanitarian ties.

“It is in Georgia’s national interest to expand trade and economic opportunities with as many countries as possible. However, that does not mean political and diplomatic relations with Russia will resume”, he concluded.