Seven or eight months have passed since the elections, and I wonder how it was possible not to start wide-scope negotiations with the country with which we have most problems. We need to stop flirting with the West and to start working. We have to hold bilateral negotiations with Russia, for if you say Russia that you do not trust it, you should not wait for a good result," Burjanadze said.
According to her, the West takes decisions on Georgia formally, just recognizing the territorial integrity of Georgia, and that is all.
"We have to be realistic. We can scream 30 years that the doors of NATO are open for us, but that will us nothing. NATO`s door cannot be open until we give up the occupied territories. This problem can only be solved through fostering ties with Russia. During the August War, many people were waiting for NATO helicopters in the sky over Georgia, but this did not happen. NATO did not start a war with Russia. This is why we need a balanced policy with the West, North, South, and with all nations. Everything should be resolved through direct negotiations," Burjanadze said.
Large scale military actions were launched in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military.
Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. In response, Tbilisi broke diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.
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