Moscow/Tbilisi - The government of Georgia sees room for restoring diplomatic relations with Russia despite the war the two nations fought in August, says Georgia's new foreign minister, according to a Russian newspaper.

"We are open to negotiations," said Grigol Vasadze, quoted in the Monday edition of Kommersant, a Moscow daily.

Commentators say Vasadze's appointment is a positive sign for relations between Russia and Georgia. Vasadze lived in Russia for 30 years and still holds Russian citizenship.

However, Vasadze has made it clear that Georgia will insist on its territorial integrity. Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia - two breakaway Georgian republics - after it fought a war with Georgia in August to ward off Georgian attempts to reassert control in South Ossetia.

Vasadze said he still has many friends in the Russian Foreign Ministry and says he thinks it possible that the Russian Embassy could reopen in Tbilisi. However, he said Georgia could not accept the opening of Russian embassies in either South Ossetia or Abkhazia.

He also said Georgia will continue to strive for membership in NATO, despite Russian objections.

Vasadze took office Friday in the midst of an reshuffling of the Georgian cabinet that saw many key figures in this summer's war ousted. President Mikheil Saakashvili said the changes were part of a "democratization offensive." (dpa)