Georgia’s military cooperation with NATO and the United States remained a major irritant in bilateral relations. This reads in the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry, which was published on the official website and refers to the results of the Abashidze - Karasin meeting.

According to the statement, Karasin urged Abashidze to use Georgia’s upcoming chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to promote constructive interaction with Russia.

In is also mentioned that Zurab Abashidze raised the issue of Vazha Gaprindashvili’s release.