TBILISI. June 20 (Interfax) - Georgia can only resume diplomatic relations with Russia if very serious changes occur in Russia's position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgian presidential special envoy Zurab Abashidze said.
"The issue of the resumption of diplomatic relations cannot be included on the agenda without serious changes in Russia's stance on Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. Resumption of diplomatic relations with Russia by Georgia at this stage would mean that Georgia recognizes the so-called new reality, that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are independent states, which Russia alleges, but whose independence Georgia will never recognize," Abashidze told reporters on Thursday, commenting on the statement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin that Georgia should take the first step to restore diplomatic relations with Russia.