Russia resumes visas for Georgians as tensions ease

TBILISI, May 28 (Reuters) Russia today said it would start issuing a limited number of visas to Georgian citizens, signalling that tension between the neighbouring states may be easing after recent bitter disputes.

Russia stopped issuing visas to Georgians at the end of September after Georgian authorities arrested a group of Russian officers on spying charges, sparking a crisis in relations.

''We are partly resuming the issue of visas,'' said Valery Vasiliyev, consul of the Russian embassy in Tbilisi.

''Visas will be given in those cases where there is a private invitation from a Russian citizen for their family members in Georgia. Russia has made a humanitarian step towards Georgia.'' Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili told reporters: ''We welcome this step. It is a win, win situation.'' Regular flights and train links between Russia and Georgia, which share many cultural links, have not been resumed since they were cut after last year's spying row.

Ties between Georgia and its former Soviet master remain strained over the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and differences with Russia over relations with NATO and the European Union.

Russian and Georgian officials are expected to hold talks in Tbilisi on May 30 about Russia's entry to the World Trade Organisation, which Georgia is blocking over a dispute about customs points in its breakaway republics.

President Mikhail Saakashvili will attend an informal conference of leaders of former Soviet republics in St Petersburg in June, a spokesman said. He has asked for a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

REUTERS SBA 0055