TBILISI, January 12 (RIA Novosti) - The Georgian and Swiss foreign ministers exchanged on Monday documents to grant Switzerland the right to represent Georgia's interests in Moscow.

Georgia severed diplomatic ties with Russia after Moscow recognized breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia on August 26 last year. Russia's move followed a five-day war with Georgia that began when Georgian troops attacked South Ossetia.

"We are grateful to this country [Switzerland] for taking care of the Georgian people on the territory of Russia," Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said after a meeting with his Swiss counterpart Micheline Calmy-Rey.

The Swiss top diplomat signed similar agreements last month in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Switzerland, as a neutral state, has for years represented the interests of a number of countries. It currently represents Cuba's and Iran's interests in the United States, U.S. interests in Cuba, and Iran's in Egypt.