Georgia Minister Suggests Recognition Of ID Documents Issued By Two Breakaway Regions

Paata Zakareishvili (file photo)

Georgia's reintegration minister says Tbilisi should recognize identification documents issued by the authorities of the country's two breakaway regions.

In an interview with Russia's "Kommersant" newspaper, Paata Zakareishvili said the recognition of the documents issued by separatist authorities in Abkhazia and South Ossetia would allow greater freedom of travel between the two regions, Georgia, and Russia.

The minister's statement comes a day after former Georgian Ambassador to Russia Zurab Abashidze was appointed as the prime minister's envoy for normalizing relations with Russia.

After his appointment, Abashidze said that Tbilisi had no immediate plans for restoring diplomatic relations with Moscow.

Tbilisi broke diplomatic ties with Moscow after the Russian-Georgian military conflict in August 2008.

The next month, Moscow recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Based on reporting by Interfax and RIA Novosti