Russia has peacekeeping troops in South Ossetia

Georgian Defence Minister Georgy Baramidze is in Moscow for three days of talks with Russian officials.

His visit comes in the wake of protests by Moscow over an incident last week in which a Russian delegation was fired at in South Ossetia.

Georgia retaliated with complaints that Russian aircraft violated its airspace.

Moscow denied any of its military aircraft had entered Georgian airspace.

The provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which both have strong historical ties to Russia, mounted armed revolts against the central Georgian government in the early 1990s, but Tbilisi insists they remain part of Georgia and accuses Moscow of interference.

Mr Baramidze has said it was important to clarify what Russia wanted from Georgia.

"If we approach the present situation in a sober way, without unnecessary emotions, we are confident that Georgia and Russia can not only find common language, but it is simply their duty to find a common language for implementing their national interests," he told NTV television.

Calm

He also said that Tbilisi wanted to resolve the trouble in South Ossetia and Abkhazia by peaceful means.

On Friday, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said he wanted to calm the escalating tensions with Russia.

After meeting US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington, Mr Saakashvili said he wanted to demilitarise the whole region and maintain dialogue with Russia.

Moscow's relations with Georgia have cooled since the election of Mr Saakashvili as president in January.

Relations between the two countries were tested last week, when Georgia threatened to open fire on ships "illegally" entering the waters off Abkhazia province - which could include ships carrying Russian holidaymakers to the region.

Russia, which has close ties to the Black Sea province, reacted angrily, saying it would respond to any attack on its citizens with "the necessary rebuff".