"We are partly resuming the issue of visas," said Valery Vasiliyev, consul of the Russian Embassy in Tbilisi. "Visas will be given in those cases where there is a private invitation from a Russian citizen for their family members in Georgia. Russia has made a humanitarian step towards Georgia."
Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili welcomed the announcement, calling it "a win-win situation."
Russia stopped issuing visas to Georgians at the end of September 2006, after Georgian authorities arrested a group of Russian officers on spying charges.
Moscow also recalled its ambassador, cut air links with Georgia and launched a crackdown on Georgian migrants. Russia's ambassador has since returned.
(Reuters)
Georgia's Road To The West
Georgian parliament speaker Nino Burjanadze giving a presentation at RFE/RL's Prague broadcasting center (RFE/RL)
BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE WEST: Georgian parliament speaker Nino Burjanadze told an RFE/RL briefing that her country is under intense pressure from Russia.
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