Ruling party Sec Gen says influx of tourists welcome

GD official stressed potential cases of individuals or companies subject to international sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine attempting to facilitate operations in Georgia would be followed by an “appropriate response” within the framework of the country's law and the constitution. Photo: Tbilisi City Hall

Agenda.ge, 11 Aug 2022 - 16:02, Tbilisi,Georgia

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said the country would “not start a war against Russia” and “does not get involved in the Russia-Ukraine war”, stressing the “influx” of visitors to Georgia in the wake of the conflict's outbreak was welcomed.

We have repeatedly stated that Georgia would not start a war or engage in a war. There will be no second front in Georgia [amid the Russian war in Ukraine]. Georgia does not join the sanctions. This is very important. We welcome the influx of tourists, I don't see any problem”, Kaladze said.

The GD official stressed potential cases of individuals or companies subject to international sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine attempting to facilitate operations in Georgia would be followed by an “appropriate response” within the framework of the country's law and the constitution.

Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday called on the public to disassociate themselves from a “discriminatory campaign” against Russian citizens in Georgia, claiming the “sole purpose” of speculation on number of Russian nationals entering the country and calls for imposing visa requirement for them was “to turn Georgia into a second front” amid the war in Ukraine, and adding xenophobia and chauvinism “has never been and will never be” a part of Georgian culture.