Lavrov: Georgia represents threat to region

Russia does not believe that Ukraine is endangering it in any way, while Georgia represents a threat to the entire region, says Russian FM Sergei Lavrov. “We do not see that there are any threats coming from Ukraine, which we are developing relations with, based on a contractual basis and on internationally recognized principles,” Lavrov said after a meeting with his Abkhaz counterpart Sergei Shamba. Lavrov: Georgia represents threat to region Lavrov said he wished that Ukraine would “as soon as possible overcome a period of emotions and battles, typical for election campaigns” Russian news agency Itar - Tass reported. But, he added, while Moscow wants to have friendly and neighborly relations with Kiev, Georgia's leaders represent a threat to regional peace and security – "a threat that on one occasion developed into a real war against South Ossetia, Russian peacekeeping troops and Russia.” That is the reason why Russia is doing everything in its power to prevent these events from repeating themselves, Lavrov said. He expressed hope that “those who continue to restore the Georgian army realize what they are doing,” pointing out that the safety of newly independent countries was now protected from any attack. Lavrov was referring to South Ossetia and Abkhazia. “The Russian foreign policy concept does not envision attacks on other countries,” Russian foreign minister said. Meanwhile, it was announced that Moscow and Tbilisi agreed to reopen a border checkpoint closed since July 2006, a Georgian deputy foreign minister said on Thursday, according to a RIA Novosti report. Though the Georgian diplomat promised to announce the exact date of reopening as soon as the motion had been fixed in an accord, which should be signed within the next two weeks, some sources believe the event could take place in early March, the news agency said. Sergei Lavrov (Beta, file)

Lavrov: Georgia represents threat to region

Lavrov said he wished that Ukraine would “as soon as possible overcome a period of emotions and battles, typical for election campaigns” Russian news agency Itar - Tass reported.

But, he added, while Moscow wants to have friendly and neighborly relations with Kiev, Georgia's leaders represent a threat to regional peace and security – "a threat that on one occasion developed into a real war against South Ossetia, Russian peacekeeping troops and Russia.”

That is the reason why Russia is doing everything in its power to prevent these events from repeating themselves, Lavrov said.

He expressed hope that “those who continue to restore the Georgian army realize what they are doing,” pointing out that the safety of newly independent countries was now protected from any attack.

Lavrov was referring to South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

“The Russian foreign policy concept does not envision attacks on other countries,” Russian foreign minister said.

Meanwhile, it was announced that Moscow and Tbilisi agreed to reopen a border checkpoint closed since July 2006, a Georgian deputy foreign minister said on Thursday, according to a RIA Novosti report.

Though the Georgian diplomat promised to announce the exact date of reopening as soon as the motion had been fixed in an accord, which should be signed within the next two weeks, some sources believe the event could take place in early March, the news agency said.