Moscow said on Friday it linked the improvement of soured relations with Tbilisi to 'realistically minded' political figures in Georgia.
The statement came in the wake of a Thursday meeting in Moscow between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and one of Georgia's opposition leaders, Nino Burdzhanadze.
The statement said Russia and Georgia need to search for a way out of the impasse in their relations, which "is key to peace in the Trans-Caucasus."
Moscow stressed that it linked the restoration of relations "with those political figures in Georgia who take a realistic view of the current situation in the region."
The ministry said various aspects of "the current complex state of Russian-Georgian relations" were discussed and that "despite the ongoing crisis and the absence of diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia, it is essential to search for a way out of this impasse."
Burdzhanadze also met with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The former speaker of the Georgian parliament, once an ally of President Mikheil Saakashvili, came to Moscow for talks with Russian political leaders, saying that such dialogue was crucial for Georgia.
Burdzhanadze is one of a growing number of Georgian opposition leaders seeking to start political dialogue between Russia and Georgia, calling it crucial for Georgia's future. Former Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli has visited Moscow several times in recent months.
However, Georgian parliamentary deputies loyal to Saakashvili have already accused Burdzhanadze of "treason" over her Moscow visit.
MOSCOW, March 5 (RIA Novosti)
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100305/158103417.html
