02 March 2009, 19:00
Russia to restart issuing visas to Georgian citizens
From March 4, Russia plans to restart issuing visas to citizens of Georgia, although in incomplete volume. Swiss diplomats will act as intermediaries.
Grigol Vashadze, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, has reported today that diplomats from Switzerland, whom the parties asked to represent their interests, will work in the embassy building in central Tbilisi abandoned by Russian diplomats.
Zurab Pataridze, Consul of Georgia in Russia, said that Swiss diplomats will also start, as of March 5, issuing Georgian visas to Russian citizens in the building of the Georgian embassy in Moscow, as the Reuters reports.
This information was confirmed at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The section of Russia's interests at the embassy of Switzerland in Tbilisi will start its work on March 5, the Ministry said, however, visas to citizens of Georgia will be issued "not in the full volume", as the "Interfax" writes.
The MFA's spokesman has confirmed that on March 4 Moscow and Tbilisi will hold the exchange procedure of diplomatic notes between representatives of Russia and Switzerland, and Georgia and Switzerland, accordingly.
