Deputy Economy Minister: Sanctioned airlines, ships will not operate in Georgia
She explained that establishing air traffic would have a “significant impact” on the travel expenses of Georgians living in Russia and pointed out that Georgia did not limit land traffic with the country as “hundreds of cars have been crossing” the Russian-Georgian border. Photo via Economy Ministry
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Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, on Wednesday, responded to the Russian Government’s decision to lift its ban on flights with Georgia and visa requirements for citizens of the country by saying that sanctioned airlines and ships would not be able to operate in Georgia, while unsanctioned ones would have an opportunity to perform direct flights.
Kvrivishvili said by air traffic between Georgia and Russia it would be “easier” for “up to a million citizens” of Georgia living in Russia to have a connection with their homeland - Georgia, their families, emphasising that “taking care of Georgians and their well-being” was the “main priority” for the country’s Government.
It is important to “once again” remind the public that the unilateral visa regime with Russia has been in effect since 2010, and in 2019, the latter unilaterally decided to ban direct flights with Georgia, Kvrivishvili said.
She explained that establishing air traffic would have a “significant impact” on the travel expenses of Georgians living in Russia and pointed out that Georgia did not limit land traffic with the country as “hundreds of cars have been crossing” the Russian-Georgian border.
The Deputy Minister added that many countries, including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia had direct flights from Russia.
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.
TAV Georgia, the company operating Tbilisi International Airport in the capital city, on Thursday said the resignation of its former employee in an apparent protest could not have “any connection” with the Russian Government’s lifting of a ban on flights with Georgia on Wednesday.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said Russian aircraft sanctioned by the international community following the country’s invasion of Ukraine would not be allowed to enter Georgian airspace, in response to the Russian Government's move on Wednesday to resume direct flights with Georgia.
Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Thursday 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 “unilateral decision” by Russia, and pledged continued observance of sanctions placed by the international country on the latter for its invasion of Ukraine.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday maintained no flights involving aircraft under international sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would be allowed in Georgia, following the Russian Government’s decision on Wednesday to lift its ban on flights with Georgia.
Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Human Rights Committee from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Saturday said Georgia “has no intention” of cooperating with Russian airline companies sanctioned by the international community for its invasion of Ukraine.
Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Monday said even though the country had not imposed sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, the country’s authorities were “making sure” its territory would not be used for circumvention of the international sanctions for the war.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday told the ongoing Qatar Economic Forum in Doha his Government’s “clear” position that airline companies sanctioned for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would not operate in Georgia.
The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia on Tuesday said the scheduled entry of Astoria Grande, a cruise ship sailing under the flag of Palau, in Batumi port in the country’s west was free from international sanctions imposed against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine.
Astoria Grande, a cruise ship that has entered Georgia’s Batumi port, has arrived in the harbour from Turkey and is free from the international sanctions imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, the Maritime Transport Agency of the country said on Thursday.
Mariam Kvrivishvili, the Deputy Economy Minister of Georgia, on Tuesday said it was “important” to see increasing numbers of visitors from the European Union, Israel and Gulf states over the first six months of this year.