Nov.28(EIRNS) — The agreement to end the Nagorno Karabakh conflict has opened the door to increased economic cooperation between Russia and Georgia, especially in the transport sector. This issue was discussed by the member of Russia’s Federation Council, Grigory Karasin and Special Envoy of the Georgian Prime Minister for Relations with , Zurab Abashidze, via video conference on November 27. The talks were held within the framework of the existing Russia-Georgia informal dialogue mechanism.
According to a statement by the Russian foreign ministry, representatives of the Foreign and Transport Ministries from both countries took part in the talks, pointing out that the agreement between the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the prime minister of the Republic of Armenia, brokered by the president of the Russia on November 9, 2020 provided for unblocking transport communications and economic ties, and opens up new possibilities for all the Trans-Caucasian states, including Georgia".
They also discussed trade issues. Despite the conflicts between the two countries over the contested territory, Russia is still Georgia’s second major foreign trade partner and a large importer of Georgian products, primarily wine. The Russian side said cooperation could expand further if Georgia eliminated the threats of security for Russian citizens.
For the last three decades, because of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, several key rail and road corridors had been blacked among all of the South Caucasus countries and Russia had been blocked. Now with the new agreement all of these blocked corridors have been reopened.
