Prime Minister of Georgia supports the resumption of flights with Russia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili supported Russia’s decision to abolish visas for Georgian citizens and to resume flights.

“All decisions that will make life, movement and business easier for our citizens are positive and welcome,” Garibashvili said (quote according to RIA Novosti).

On May 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the resumption of air traffic with Georgia, which was terminated in the summer of 2019. In addition, by a separate decree, on May 15, he canceled the visa regime for Georgian citizens.

After that, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili named the decision of the Russian authorities is a provocation and unacceptable against the backdrop of the continuation of the military operation in Ukraine. She also urged to convene the Security Council and consider the introduction of three-month visas for Russians.

Later Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili informedthat Tbilisi does not plan to impose sanctions against Moscow, so as not to “aggravate relations” with Russia. At the same time, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of the Republic Mariam Kvrivishvili emphasizedthat the planes of those Russian airlines that are under sanctions will not be able to fly into Georgia.

11 May EU Foreign Service Spokesperson Peter Stano urged Georgia to comply with sanctions against the Russian aviation sector and asked not to let planes from Russia into its territory. Ten days before, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze toldthat Georgia did not receive the status of a candidate member of the European Union due to the fact that the country did not join the sanctions against Russia.