MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. Moscow is ready to further develop economic relations with Tbilisi and strengthen friendship between the peoples of the two countries, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.

"We have extremely close ties with Georgia. We share a common history and traditions, including religious traditions that bring us together. We are also united by family ties and mutually beneficial cooperation," the diplomat noted, adding that significant progress had been made in trade and tourism in recent years.

"One in four tourists in Georgia comes from Russia. And our large market is the main destination for Georgia’s principal export products, which is also an extremely important factor. We are ready to further develop economic relations and strengthen friendship between our peoples," she said. "And, of course, it is impossible not to notice that the current situation is, you know, like a bone stuck in the throat of outside players seeking to drag Georgia into dangerous adventures of a Russophobic nature. And, in my opinion, Tbilisi has also repeatedly made it very clear, in no uncertain terms, that acting against their own national interests is not part of the Georgian people’s plans. In other words, acting contrary to the goals and objectives of their own development, acting to their own detriment, as they say," Zakharova added.

The diplomat noted that Russia understands Georgia’s efforts "to put up some kind of barrier, to erect an obstacle to these destructive external influences, while maintaining relations with foreign partners on the basis of equality and mutual respect."