GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER COMMENTS ON VISA TALKS








TBILISI, MARCH 2, 2001, /RIA-NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT DAVID IMEDASHVILI/ -- A protocol on the results of Georgian-Russian visa-regime talks, which has been signed in Moscow, constitutes a serious step forward. This was disclosed here today by Georgia's Foreign Minister Irakly Menagarishvili. According to Menagarishvili, the sides have managed to solve the most acute problems stemming from Moscow's decision to introduce such a visa regime March 1.


	The Georgian Foreign Minister emphasized an accord on allowing Georgia's citizens, who permanently reside in Russia, to obtain visas at places of their residence. In his words, both sides also intend to settle the issue of specific privileges for residents of Russian and Georgian border-line areas.


	At the same time, the Russian side has refused to abolish a visa-free exit-entry regime for the population of Abkhazia, which is a self-proclaimed republic on Georgian territory. Official Tbilisi regards this exception from the general rule as something unacceptable, Menagarishvili went on to say. Tbilisi believes that Moscow thus supports Abkhazia's separatists.