Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed his government to lift remaining visa restrictions for Georgian citizens and to begin talks on the resumption of Georgian imports, reported Civil Georgia on April 18, citing a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry. According to the statement, the move was in keeping with the Russian president’s decision “to implement further practical measures to normalize relations with Georgia.” Hastening the reconstruction of the Zemo (Upper) Larsi border crossing point, which is the only legally operated border crossing point between the two countries, was also among the measures mentioned. “In addition to the already implemented decision to resume transport links between the two countries, in the near future postal communication will be resumed as well,” the statement read. Two days prior, President Putin issued an order to establish legal links with breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia. As reported by Civil Georgia, the move was seen as provocative by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, as well as the countries of the European Union, NATO and traditional partners of Georgia.

This information was originally published on April 18 and 17, 2008. (www.civil.ge)