Moscow is ready for the normalization of relations with Tbilisi to the extent that Georgia is prepared, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in his year-end interview with TASS, the latter reports.

"We are determined to normalize Russian-Georgian relations precisely to the extent that Tbilisi is ready," Lavrov stated.

The Russian FM added that Moscow is not going to interfere in Georgia's internal affairs.

On September 2, 2008, Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia due to the latter’s recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. With the severing of diplomatic relations, the foreign ministry of Georgia announced that it will maintain solely consular relations with Russia.

Since March 2009, the Swiss embassy in Georgia has had a Russian interests department, staffed by Russian diplomatic and technical staff. And a department of Georgian interests has been formed at the Swiss embassy in Russia, TASS reports.