MOSCOW. Nov 2 (Interfax-AVN) - Problems in granting entry visas to Russian servicemen at the Georgian border are the result of Moscow's unwillingness to simplify the visa regime with Georgia, parliamentary speaker Nino Burjanadze said in an interview with Interfax on Tuesday.
"When encumbrances are created for our citizens, when people are sent back from airports, and artificial obstacles are created, then it is normal in diplomatic practice to respond with similar methods," Burjanadze said.
"I do not know what happened there in actuality, but either way, I will not apologize too much," she said.
Last week, Georgia delayed the granting of visas to early 400 Russia servicemen travelling to the 62nd Military Base in Akhalkalaki in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
On October 30, the Russian Foreign Ministry distributed a commentary which said: "This is not the first time the situation with visas being granted by Georgia to Russian servicemen has been wholly inadequate. The references of Georgia to incongruencies in the visa applications of the servicemen leaving Georgian territory are unacceptable to us."