Russia has allowed the first flights between Moscow and Tbilisi since air travel between the countries was frozen three years ago, the Transportation Ministry said on Thursday.

"Georgian Airways will be able to perform Tbilisi-Moscow-Tbilisi charter flights on January 8-10 and Tbilisi-St. Petersburg-Tbilisi flights on January 9 and 10," the ministry said.

The ministry said the resumption of regular flights from Georgia to Russia required negotiations at the corresponding level.

Direct flights between Tbilisi and Moscow were suspended in 2006 following a spy row between the former Soviet neighbors. They resumed for a short time in 2008 and were halted again after last August's war between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia.

The Foreign Ministry said recently that Russia was ready to allow charter flights to and from Georgia, and that if flights were not restored it would be due to Tbilisi.

Switzerland is currently representing Russia's interests in Georgia and Georgia's interests in Russia following a five-day war between Moscow and Tbilisi over South Ossetia. Georgia cut diplomatic ties when Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another former Georgian republic.

MOSCOW, December 31 (RIA Novosti)