Moscow hopes that changes occurring in Georgia following its parliamentary elections will allow incoming government “to move on the path of normalization” of ties with Moscow, Tskhinvali and Sokhumi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on October 9.

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow after meeting with foreign minister of breakaway South Ossetia David Sanakoev, Lavrov said that the election results in Georgia showed that voters wanted changes.

“Election in Georgia, like election in any other country, is an internal affair of a country. We have already made a statement on this issue. We consider these elections to be expression of the Georgian people’s will, who have clearly voted for changes,” Lavrov said when asked to comment on elections in Georgia and its possible consequences on bilateral relations.  

“We hope that these changes will allow the Georgian government, which will be formed, to move on the path of normalization of relations with all of its neighbors, including South Ossetia and Abkhazia” Lavrov said.

“We will not hold any negotiations about the fate of Abkhazia and South Ossetia either with Georgia or anyone else, because the fate of these republics has been decided by their people, who supported the independence.”

“Russia has defined its position by recognizing their independence, because it became clear by the end of August, 2008 that it is the only way for ensuring security of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and probably even for the survival of the people of these two countries.”  

“We hope that the new government of Georgia, when it is formed, will pursue the policy of normalization of relations with all of its neighbors, including Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” Lavrov added.