Air travel between Georgia and Russia has resumed, more than 17 months after Moscow suspended flights as tense between the ex-Soviet neighbours grows.

Yekaterine Sharashidze is Georgian Minister for Economic Development:

"We are waiting for the next steps from the Russian Federation. We are hoping for the simplification of their visa regime and allowance of Georgian products on the Russian market."

Russia has halted flights since October 2006, after Georgia briefly detained four Russian military officers it accused of spying.

The resumption of flights between Georgia and Russia and the restoration of sea links later this week will pave the way for mending a relationship that was soured by Georgia's bid to join NATO and Russia's economic and transport embargo on Tbilisi.