Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia after a five-day conflict over South Ossetia in August that subsequently saw Russia recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another breakaway Georgian republic, as independent states. The conflict began when Georgian forces attacked South Ossetia in a bid to regain control over the republic.
"Switzerland enjoys a high level of trust in Georgia. The talk is not about Switzerland representing Russia's political interests in Georgia. Switzerland will act as a communicating side between Georgia and Russia, and will provide technical cooperation," Nino Kalandadze told journalists.
Swiss ambassador to Georgia, Lorenzo Amberg, told journalists that once a number of technical questions have been resolved, the embassy could even begin issuing Russian visas to Georgian nationals.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia following the collapse of the Soviet Union amid armed conflicts that claimed thousands of lives.
The Swiss Embassy in Tbilisi said earlier today that they were ready to represent Russia's interests in Georgia. Switzerland has wide experience in the field, currently representing both the interests of Cuba and Iran in the United States, and U.S. interests in Cuba.
Kalandadze also said Sweden had agreed to represent Tbilisi's interests in Moscow. "We have received the consent of Sweden. However we also need Russia to agree. Consultations with Sweden on the issue are continuing," she said.
