Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarifies purpose of flight from Georgia to Belarus

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has clarified the purpose of a flight from Georgia to Belarus on August 16, stating that the Ambassador of Georgia to Belarus, Valeri Kvaratskhelia, had to take the flight 'due to the recent events in Belarus'.

Due to the limited air traffic with Belarus and the need for the ambassador to arrive in Minsk in a short time, a decision was made to fly him on a government plane. The Republic of Belarus is a friendly country of Georgia, with which we have close cooperation. We closely monitor developments [in Belarus]. We believe that it is necessary to peacefully solve the problems in Belarus. We hope that the people of Belarus will resolve the issues that are important for their future peacefully", reads the statement.

Tens of thousands of Belarusians have gathered across the country in what has been described as the largest protest in the country’s history. 

Incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko claims to have received 80 per cent of the vote in the presidential elections held on August 4, while the opposition demands he resign, says the elections were falsified and rigged.