MOSCOW. Feb 12 (Interfax-AVN) - Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili believes a thaw has begun in relations with Russia.
"I think that after our meeting (with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday - Interfax) a warm spell started in relations between Russia and Georgia," he told a news conference.
"The Russian president is quite open for a turn to the better. The main thing is not to let matters slip away," he said.
Saakashvili reminded reporters that during his inauguration ceremony, he said that he was extending a hand of friendship to Russia. He added that, "This hand did not remain in the air."
"My predecessor (Eduard Shevardnadze - Interfax) had great problems in contacts with Russia. I don't have these problems. I came with an open heart, sincerely," he said.
As a first step in thawing relations between Russia and Georgia, Saakashvili mentioned simplifying visa regulations, an issue he raised at the Moscow meetings.
"This is a question of visa regulations identical to the ones existing between Russia and Turkey and between Georgia and Turkey, when the visa is stamped at the airport upon arrival," he said.
However, the Georgian president did not name any specific time when this could be introduced.