Georgian President: Politics should not influence economic cooperation with Russia

President of Georgia Eduard Shevardnadze said it was inadmissible to politicize economic cooperation with Russia.

"Politicization of economic cooperation with Russia is inadmissible. Development of cooperation on market economy terms benefits both Georgia and Russia," the Georgian leader said Monday in an interview with the National Radio.

He named the Azot company, in which the Russian Itera group of companies owns a controlling block of shares, as the best example of economic cooperation between the two countries. "Owing to this cooperation the Georgian facility got on its feet, and four thousand workers received well-paid jobs," Shevardnadze said.

"Numerous projects were presented at the Georgian-Russian economic forum, and I think the most promising among them are projects in industry, energy, farming and transport," the Georgian President said.

In his view, economic cooperation with Russia in no way rules out cooperation with Western partners. "Cooperation with Russia does not exclude but suggests active economic ties with the U.S. and the West," Shevardnadze said.