PM Garibashvili: Georgian gov’t hasn’t had any contact with Putin since 2012

Our government’s policy is to restore territorial integrity and sovereignty through peaceful negotiations. We have not had any contact with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin since we came to power in 2012, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said in a response to a question at a Qatari Economic Forum on Monday.

The question concerned whether or not the Georgian authorities trusted the promises coming from the Kremlin.

Garibashvili also suggested that the country would be able to become a member of NATO when Georgia resolved its territorial issues.

“Our motivation is to become a member of NATO. It depends on our strategic readiness and patience. We understand that it is not only our desire to join NATO, a consensus must be reached between all member states. We are not naive, we understand that Georgia has territorial problems, we must solve this issue first and then become a member of NATO,” Garibashvili said.

He stated that Georgia faced Russian aggression three times over the past 30 years.

Russia and Georgia suspended diplomatic relations following the Russia-Georgia war back in 2008.

The relations remain suspended.

The Georgian Dream authorities initiated the restoration of trade and economic relations with Russia back in 2013, shortly after taking office.

Russia is among the top three trading partners of Georgia as of now.