29 August 2008, 11:50
Georgia breaks diplomatic relations with Russia
Tomorrow, on August 30, Georgian diplomats will be recalled from Russia, reports Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze, since Georgia breaks its diplomatic relations with Russia.
"This decision (to break diplomatic relations) doesn't mean any final termination of contacts between the MFAs of the two countries. Such contacts are possible, for example, in the territory of third countries," the "Interfax" quotes Mr Vashadze as saying.
"We preserve the consulate only, since under the Vienna Convention, break of diplomatic relations does not mean automatic break of consular relations," Mr Vashadze has noted.
Because of Georgia's decision, Russia will also have to close its embassy in Tbilisi, as a source at the Russian MFA told the RIA "Novosti". "When diplomatic relations stop, the embassy is also closed," said the Agency's interlocutor.
Let us note here that well before the Georgia's decision the Russian MFA, with Andrei Nesterenko as its official spokesman, had announced that in case of break of Russian-Georgian diplomatic relations, the responsibility will stay with the Georgian party.
