Georgian President calls for visa requirement for Russian citizens after Kremlin revokes visas for Georgian nationals
Zourabichvili’s call came after Vladimir Putin’s announcement of revocation of visas for Georgian citizens in Russia. The move itself came after the revealing of the 11th package of sanctions by the European Union against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Presidential Administration
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Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Wednesday called on the Georgian Government to convene a Security Council meeting and discuss imposing a visa requirement for Russian citizens, after the Russian President on Wednesday announced his Government was revoking visas for Georgian nationals.
Zourabichvili’s call came after Vladimir Putin’s announcement of lifting of visa requirements for Georgian citizens. The move itself came after the revealing of the 11th package of sanctions by the European Union against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
The Georgian President called the move “completely unacceptable, inappropriate and untimely”, and said the development meant her country did not need to pursue possible resumption of direct flights with Russia, in reference to speculation over the recent months about the possible restoration of air connections.
She also called the Kremlin’s decision a “Russian provocation”.
Another Russian provocation!
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) May 10, 2023
Resuming direct flights and lifting visa ban with Georgia is unacceptable as long as Russia continues its aggression on Ukraine and occupies our territory!
This is a direct provocation to challenge the [Georgian] public and puts our Government in a big challenge. This will undoubtedly cause some kind of tension between the [domestic] parties, although I am sure that it will not cause tension in the public - it will cause a reaction from the public, which understands very well that when Russia takes these steps, it is acting in its own interests”, the Georgian President said.
“I call on the Government to make its position clear. It is time for the Security Council to meet in public and discuss imposition of a three-month visa requirement with Russia that is necessary for us due to our domestic challenges”, she said.
More control is needed over the Russian citizens who are entering [Georgia after leaving Russia] [and] who are staying in the country, and some measures must be taken to bring all of this into a normal, civilised framework”, Zourabichvili concluded.
Peter Stano, the Spokesperson for the External Affairs of the European Union, on Thursday encouraged the Georgian Government to align with the bloc and other countries in their airline sector sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday, said the delay in granting Georgia the European Union membership candidate status, which the country deserved to obtain last year, led to Russia’s “activation” and its decision to lift a ban on flights with Georgia and revoke visa requirements for citizens of the country.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, on Wednesday, responded to the Russian Government lifting its ban on flights with Georgia and visa requirements for citizens of the country by saying it was a “sole decision” of official Moscow and the Georgian side “could not have any influence” on it.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili, on Wednesday, said Georgia remained committed to its policy regarding international sanctions against Russia, imposed on the country for its invasion of Ukraine and would continue “close cooperation” with its partners after the Russian Government lifted its ban on flights with Georgia and visa requirements for citizens of the country.
Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday responded to the Russian Government lifting its ban on flights with Georgia and visa requirements for citizens of the country by saying the moves were designed to “create obstacles” for Georgia’s European integration.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Friday will attend the coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom at Westminster Abbey in London, the Presidential Administration said on Thursday.
Georgia’s European Union integration and France’s support in this regard were discussed on Friday in a meeting between Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili and Catherine Colonna, the French Foreign Minister.
Georgia's accession to the European Union and the importance of Poland's “firm” support for the process were discussed on Thursday in a meeting between the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili and the Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, who is on an official visit to Georgia.
The European Court of Human Rights on Thursday deemed Georgia’s application against Russia on alleged deterioration of the human rights situation along the administrative boundary line between the Government-controlled territory and its Russian-occupied territories as admissible.
The expression “dancing to the Russian tune” has been an insult to a “self-respecting, ancient” Georgian nation, Irakli Garibashvili, the Georgian Prime Minister, said on Thursday in his comments to the media on President Salome Zourabichvili’s statement.