You're reading: Tbilisi concerned about possible escalation of tensions between Moscow, Ankara

TBILISI - Georgia has some apprehensions regarding the way the current confrontation between Turkey and Russia could develop, Georgian special prime ministerial representative for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze told journalists.

“If Russia and Turkey don’t make an arrangement, everyone could suffer,” Abashidze said.He expressed the hope that the policymakers would settle the conflict ‘reasonably.’

“Everyone could suffer, and this could cause serious destabilization in the region,” he said.

Georgia has already felt ‘some elements’ of the confrontation between Turkey and Russia, Abashidze said.”Problems have occurred with the passage of Turkish semi-trucks to Russia through the Larsi border checkpoint. If we are a transit country and this function is somehow affected, certainly, this is bad,” Abashidze said.

He refrained from saying who he thought could be held responsible for the escalation of tensions.

“The situation is truly very dangerous. Historical record shows that major world wars could begin with such minor incidents, then shooting starts somewhere. A downed plane is very seriously, but I think this situation will certainly be defused, as nobody can really benefit from worsening the conflict. Such elements are already visible. Small signals have already been sent from both Moscow and Ankara,” he said.

The Georgian diplomat said he hoped for a meeting between Russian and Turkish officials.