Gov’t to protect sovereignty, citizens’ economic welfare amid Russian response to Tbilisi protests
Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered a ban on flights to Georgia after July 8 as part of Russian state reaction to protest in Tbilisi. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The Government of Georgia will be utmost principled and protect the country’s sovereignty as well as the economic welfare of its citizens, Irakli Chikovani, Strategic Communication Advisor to the Prime Minister stated.
Chikovani made the statement on behalf of the government amid the official Russian reaction to developments in Tbilisi to boycott tourism and trade goods with Georgia.
He believes that a radical political agenda, both domestic and foreign, equally damages the country’s sovereignty and citizens’ welfare.
The discontent with the June 20 appearance of a Russian Duma MP Sergei Gavrilov in the chair of the Georgian Parliament Speaker transformed into a general expression of anger for the occupation. Photo Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered a ban on flights to Georgia as part of Russian state reaction to protest in Tbilisi following a Duma MP's appearance in the Tbilisi parliament on June 20.
Putin ordered cessation of flights after a date of July 8 while also tasking his government with returning Russian citizens on temporary stay in Georgia and prohibiting Russian tour agencies from organising travels to the country.
Messages directed against the policy of the Kremlin in relation to Georgia were brought to the June 21 rally in front of the parliament of Georgia. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Economic expert Akaki Tsomaia believes Georgia will lose up to $1 billion due to Putin’s decision to ban flights, as based on unofficial information around 25% of tourists in Georgia are Russian citizens.
He said, apart from tourism, the two countries enjoyed improved trade relations in recent years and this decision will now overall affect Georgian economy.
Both people and government should understand that we should not depend on the Russian economy. This country is not trustworthy and uses everything – tourists, agricultural products, natural resources - for its political reasons”, Tsomaia stated.
For Georgia's further progress and economic development Tsomaia suggests that it should diversify the economy.
Russian president Vladimir Putin’s decision to ban flights to Georgia amid the protest rallies in Tbilisi following a Russian delegation’s recent visit to Georgia has caused even wider public solidarity among the local population against the Russian occupation.
The peaceful demonstration in front of the parliament of Georgia in central Tbilisi will resume at 7 p.m. today. Protesters made their feelings about Russian president Vladimir Putin known on the Rustaveli Avenue on Friday, as a younger crowd gathered on the street on the second day of demonstrations.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered a ban on flights to Georgia as part of Russian state reaction to protest in Tbilisi following a Duma MP's appearance in the Tbilisi parliament.
Russian officials on Friday called for boycott of tourism and trade relations with Georgia following what President Putin's administration called a "Russophobic provocation" in Tbilisi clashes the previous day.
The official Kremlin response decried the events as a "dangerous display", while the State Duma's Tourism Committee head called for boycott of Georgian tourist resorts and trade goods, among reactions.
The Georgian Ministry of Health has denied death of one person who got injured on June 20 when Georgian police dispersed protest rally on Rustaveli Ave. Russian media outlets, namely Euronews Russia, Lenta.ru, REN.TV and others have reported that one of the protestors, injured in eye, died in a hospital.
The Georgian Interior Ministry has called on demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament on the third consecutive day not to exceed the legal framework of the freedom of expression and to maintain public order.
The Georgian Interior Ministry has launched an investigation into an alleged attempt to interfere with the work of a Russian TV company in Tbilisi today. The Russian Foreign Ministry reported on June 22 that “aggressive radical elements” attempted to attack a crew of Russia 24.
The recent address to “friends around the world” has gone viral in online media, calling on the rest of the world to come to Georgia amid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent ban on flights with Georgia. Georgians invite travellers from all over the world to come to their country and "experience best wine, tastiest food and unforgettable hospitality provided by some of the warmest hearted people in the world".
There is hardly any reason that would put the quality of Georgian wine production under the question mark, the National Wine Agency of Georgia responded to Russia’s recent warning on "strengthening control" over alcoholic drinks imported from Georgia.