We have repeatedly stated that the prerequisite for resetting relations between Georgia and Russia is the de-occupation of Georgia, - the Chairman of the Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, told journalists.

Papuashvili spoke about the Prime Minister's visit to Turkmenistan, which is also attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to him, no meeting is planned between Putin and Kobakhidze.

"The Prime Minister of Georgia is in Turkmenistan at the invitation of the President of Turkmenistan for a forum dedicated to peace issues. The host himself determines the participants of the forum. The Prime Minister of Georgia will represent Georgia there," - stated Shalva Papuashvili.

When asked whether the Georgian government sees a resource for talking to Vladimir Putin, Shalva Papuashvili replied that the Georgian government acts only in the national interests of the Georgian people and that Russia’s respect for the national interests of the Georgian people implies the end of the occupation.

“We are ready to talk to everyone who is ready to respect the national interests of our people. The national interest of the Georgian people is two main national tasks - this is the unification of our country and the growth of the well-being of our people. We act based on the interests of our people. We talk to those who respect these interests, and we don’t talk to those who do not respect them. Russia’s respect for the national interests of the Georgian people implies the end of the occupation. Accordingly, we are not talking. You may not be able to notice it, but we do not have diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation,” Papuashvili said.

As he noted, the only format where the government has the opportunity to have contact with Russia for humanitarian purposes is the Geneva format.

As for taking a joint photo with Putin, according to Shalva Papuashvili, this is “no problem at all.”

“Don’t you see a problem with the fact that you and the Russian president live on the same planet?” Papuashvili asked the journalist.

As for the discussion of neutrality within the forum, Shalva Papuashvili stated that this is a completely different issue and the content of the event concerns peace. When asked whether it is possible to talk about peace with Putin, Papuashvili noted:

“That is precisely why it is important that the Russian president be there when we talk about the importance of peace, the importance of sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law. Our policy is very open and easy to understand. Easy in the sense that we are telling the truth. Our main goal is precisely that Russia refuses the occupation of Georgian territories. Russia must be convinced that without recognizing Georgia’s territorial integrity, the relations it may have in the region cannot be with us. Georgia has clearly stated that the main prerequisite is the de-occupation of our country. What are your fears, what are your risks? We are acting in Georgia’s national interests. We will do what serves our national interests. No meeting is planned,” Papuashvili told journalists.

When asked by the media whether Irakli Kobakhidze would speak about the occupation, Shalva Papuashvili replied: "The Prime Minister of Georgia does not speak with the words written by the radical opposition or war-seeking Europeans. The Prime Minister will speak about what is in our national interests. The Georgian people gave a mandate to Irakli Kobakhidze as Prime Minister and he will speak with the mandate of the Georgian people. He will speak about what the Georgian people need today and in the way they need it. Of course, he will not speak in the way that Rasa Juknevičienė, the National Movement and other similar people who want war speak," Papuashvili said.