Georgian authorities must assist Catholicos-Patriarch to normalize relations with Russia
Tbilisi, August 1, Interfax – Ex-Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze has urged Georgian authorities to assist the dialog of Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia Ilia II and Russia.
“His Holiness met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in Kiev. It was reaffirmed at the meeting that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are inseparable parts of Georgia,” Shevardnadze told the Georgian Asaval-Dasavali weekly. The interview was released on Monday.
“This success should be developed, and the authorities must give support to the Patriarch. However, I doubt the authorities will do that and continue negotiations with Moscow,” he said.
Shevardnadze proposed to find out whether Moscow wished to speak to Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili. “I cannot speak for Saakashvili, but if he wants to remain the leader of Georgia he must find a way to start the dialog with Moscow. Although I do not like Saakashvili, I will be glad if the Georgian president finds a common language with the Russian leaders,” he said.
