Prime minister Ivanishvili: Don't hope, I won't leave …

The prime minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili made a number of statements on the major problems, interesting the Georgian society. He spoke about the relations with Russia and NATO, about the possible withdrawal from policy.

The prime minister considers that the first stage of building relations with Russia is already complete, on turn is the following:

- Most likely, it won't turn out to restore the diplomatic relations before the Games in Sochi. Both time and the corresponding situation are necessary. Though the improvement of the Russian-Georgian communications is possible. Some positive shifts already happened, trade relations are almost restored, the Georgian production already entered the Russian market. We actively work over renewal of regular flights between Moscow and Tbilisi, there are negotiations on simplification and even cancellation of a visa regime.

Generally, we passed the first stage of building relations with Russia very quickly and successfully. There is a prospect for further normalization of the relations. But time is required.

Ivanishvili couldn't but speak concerning Abkhazia and South Ossetia which are considered as “occupied territories” in Georgia:

- I am not in euphoria of that tomorrow there will be a restoration of territorial integrity of Georgia, and it will be solved only by Russia. It plays large role in this question, but it isn't less important that we thought not only of territories, but also of people. We have to convince our brothers (Abkhazians and the Ossetian) that to live together with us would be interesting… Russia realizes that existence of separatist territories is not in interests Russia and its safety. The key of Georgia for interest of Abkhazians and the Ossetian is the economy development.

The policy number one in today's Georgia and a subject of relationship with the North Atlantic block didn't remain unaddressed:

- NATO has standards to which we try to correspond. NATO is not only military structure, it is military-political. Introduction and development of real democratic institutes that didn't occur in Georgia is necessary. All this will in a complex give the chance to us to join NATO. I think that with arrival of our new government, process of integration into NATO will be accelerated, but won't be slowed down at all.
That the Georgian army does together with the international commonwealth to ensure safety in the Afghan region is not only a defence of peace in the region, they literally provide peace developments of our country. We have to be proud that our soldiers together with the large participating countries of NATO take part in such processes and let nobody think that it is necessary only for them and it isn't necessary for our country. We do it not only for illusive joining to NATO.

At last, Ivanishvili told about the plans for the future. As a rule, he wasn't so specific in this question. That is however quite explainable – the presidential election on which “Georgian dream” intends to win a super convincing victory come nearer:

- Let's not create an agiotage round my withdrawal from policy... The energy will suffice me for 20 years to remain active both in policy, and in civil sector.

If I leave, I will leave and I will supervise political processes from the outside, but I won't operate them.

The next year will be noticeable from the point of view of economy and the following it is even better. And from this point of view I assume responsibility and can note that we keep the promises much.

As for my leaving, I am not going to leave the country, and let nobody think that I will be discharged of these processes. All promises are feasible, and I see better what is more necessary to society.