Russian citizens petition against Putin’s ban to flights with Georgia
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. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Over 12,000 Russian citizens have signed an online petition calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to cancel his recent ban on flights between Russia and Georgia.
Allow flights between Georgia and Russia, as Russian citizens in Georgia are in safety. As for the protest rallies – this is the right of the Georgian citizens”, the text of the petition reads.
The author of the petition believes the two nations should maintain their friendly relations and that eveyone should decide for themselves where they want to travel.
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.
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry announced today that the state institutions are fully ensuring public order and safety in the country amid the recent protest rallies in Georgia.
It also said, the international community, including the OSCE, has been informed on the steps that the state has taken for ensuring the safety during the protest rallies in front of the parliament of Georgia in Tbilisi and throughout the country.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry announced today that the state institutions are fully ensuring public order and safety in the country amid the recent protest rallies in Georgia. It also said, the international community, including the OSCE, has been informed on the steps that the state has taken for ensuring the safety during the protest rallies in front of the parliament of Georgia in Tbilisi and throughout the country.
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 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 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.
A peaceful demonstration in front of the parliament of Georgia is underway on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi for the fourth consecutive day. People have gathered again demanding the resignation of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia, the release of people detained on June 20, the punishment of police officers who used excessive force during the clash with protesters and the holding of snap parliamentary elections with proportional electoral system.
Russia's Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing has announced a "strengthening of control" over alcoholic drinks imported from Georgia, in a move reminiscent of a 2006 embargo on wine from the country.
Moscow believes that there is ‘Russophobic hysteria’ in Georgia and the resumption of Russia-Georgia direct flights, banned by the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 21, is unlikely to take place until the attitude is changed, Russian President’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov says.
A well-known Georgian basketball player Zaza Pachulia has joined the ‘Visit Georgia’ campaign and called on his fans to visit Georgia amid Russia’s ban on flights to the country. He has posted photos of Georgian landscapes on his Facebook and Instagram accounts, calling on all his followers and NBA fans from all over the world to visit this ‘amazing country’.
The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into police actions during the June 20-21 rallies in central Tbilisi, which left 305 detained and 240 injured.
Ukraine's former president Petro Poroshenko has urged citizens of his country to travel to Georgian resorts and counter Russia's efforts to "weaken Georgia economically" following president Vladimir Putin's ban on flights to the country.
“Georgia is a safe country for everyone, including Russian tourists”
“Georgia is one of the safest countries for tourism and for travellers from any country, including Russian tourists”, says the Economy Minister of Georgia Natia Turnava.
Russian MP Evgeni Primakov calls for a ‘freeze’ on Russia-Georgia relations after an anchor of TV channel Rustavi 2 Giorgi Gabunia used offensive language against Russian President Vladimir Putin. He wrote that Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili condemned the journalist’s behavior, “however, we have not yet heard an apology.”
The Government of Georgia will cover the travel expenses of those passengers who will travel from any Russian airport to Georgia via Yerevan. A total of 600,000 euros has been issued to finance transit flights, so that each of the passenger will receive up to 90 euros to cover their travel expenses.
Head of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) Koba Gvenetadze says that external factors and fewer tourists have made an impact on the exchange rate of the national currency, with one US dollar costing 2.93 GEL as of today.
Lithuania is one of the first countries that has joined a new campaign supporting the Georgia’s tourism industry by calling on more of their citizens to visit the country. Ambassador of Lithuania to Georgia Giedrius Poudziunas believes Georgia is “a wonderful environment” for adventure.
Georgia’s revenue service on Thursday rejected TV reports that alleged a drastic increase in the number of individuals crossing the country’s northern border from Russia over the past days by saying there was “no sharp difference” observed in the figures over the past 10 days.