Putin expects more optimism about Transcaucasia (adds).

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Jan 24 2007

24.01.2007, 19.44

SOCHI, January 24 (Itar-Tass) — President Vladimir Putin said the
perception of the situation in the Transcaucasia will become more
optimistic as the economy grows and experience of interstate affairs
is gained.

"As the economy grows and the well-being of people improves, as
experience of interstate affairs builds up, there is more and more
optimism," Putin said at a press conference in the Black Sea resort
city of Sochi on Wednesday after the first round of talks with Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan. .

"But the conflict potential [in the Transcaucasia] is still very big,
and unfortunately the most acute issues have not been solved so far,"
he said.

"We will work on this, and Russia will contribute as much as it can
to the resolution of these issues. We will do what we can to solve
these problems," Putin said.

He expressed regret "there was not enough experience of interstate
relations and we have little experience of resolving conflicts. … I
am talking about all of us, including Russia."