President Saakashvili (left) and Swiss President and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey (right), Tbilisi, May 29. Photo: Georgian President’s administration.

President Saakashvili discussed with the visiting Swiss President, Micheline Calmy-Rey, “strengthening the role of Switzerland as a mediator” between Tbilisi and Moscow, the Georgian President’s administration said.

With the diplomatic ties cut between Georgia and Russia, Switzerland represents Georgia’s diplomatic interests in Moscow and the diplomatic interests of Russia in Tbilisi since 2009. Switzerland is also a mediator in talks between Moscow and Tbilisi on Russia’s WTO entry terms.

“The major topics of discussion were bilateral relations and Georgia's occupied territories,” the Georgian President’s administration said.

Also on May 29, the Swiss President and Foreign Minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, who is paying a two-day official visit to Tbilisi, met with Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze.