Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze
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Russian-Georgian Visa Ties Remain
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili’s declaration that he was severing relations with Russia has proven to be less than accurate. Only a few days later, Tbilisi has returned to its usual visa procedures for Russia. According to Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze on Thursday, the country’s authorities have decided to simplify the procedure for Russian citizens to receive visas.
Russian citizens will be able to receive Georgian visas at the border, just as they did before Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia. A few days ago, Saakashvili stated that Russians would be able to receive visas only from Georgian consulates after submitting an invitation, in its original copy, in spite of the lack of postal communications between the two countries.
It is possible that the harsh response of the Russian Foreign Ministry lead to Georgia’s change of heart. Moscow stated that it regretted Saakashvili’s decision and then began to cut back the operations of the Russian embassy and its consular department in Tbilisi. That step could have led to dissatisfaction for the many Georgians who travel to Russia on business and harmed Saakashvili’s image in the country.
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