Georgian FM vows to improve ties with Russia

MOSCOW, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili said on Thursday that the Caucasus nation is ready for serious dialogue with Russia so as to improve bilateral ties, according to reports reaching here.

Georgia is planning a visit by its president-elect Mikhail Saakashvili to Russia, Itar-Tass quoted the top diplomat as sayingin Tbilisi.

"We hope that Russia has responsible attitude towards this process and will show political will for us to outline relevant decisions on the key issues and create the formula of our relations as neighboring countries and as possible strategic partners in the future," he said.

Relations between the two countries have remained tense over such issues as Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as well as its strive for NATO membership and Russia's economic embargo against Georgia.

Saakashvili said after winning the snap presidential election on Jan. 5 he was ready to stretch out a hand to Russia in a bid to improve bilateral relations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message to Saakashvili, congratulating his re-election and expecting for improvements in bilateral ties.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will lead a delegation to attend Saakashvili's inauguration slated for Jan. 20.