Finance Minister: Imposition or lifting of ban on flights between Georgia, Russia “unilateral decision” of Russian Gov’t
Georgian Finance Minister 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. Photo: Ministry of Finance
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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.
This is a unilateral decision - both in terms of [imposing or lifting bans on flights]. In this regard, what I can say is that vehicles subject to import and export control by partner countries will not be able to operate on the territory of Georgia”, Khutsishvili said.
There have been no questions for Georgia about the implementation of specific regulations established at the international level - neither before, nor now, nor will there be in the future”, he added in reference to compliance with the sanctions.
The Minister said “we have seen nothing but false information and baseless accusations” regarding ensuring the sanctions in Georgia, adding there had not been “any evidence” pointing to violations of the sanctions.
We have heard statements made by both the American side and the European Union, and at the level of ambassadors - there is no fact that there is even one case in Georgia that someone was able to bypass the sanctions. At the same time, we can look back over the past year and see more than 50-70 statements that we had to release [to counter allegations of violations of the sanctions]”, Khutsishvili added.
The Minister also claimed Georgia was one of the “advanced countries” for tax and customs administration and sanctions enforcement “not only in the region but also on the European continent”, while acknowledging as a state bordering Russia the country was in the focus of “heightened attention” in the topic of the sanctions.
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.
James John, the Mission Head of the International Monetary Fund, on Thursday told Georgian media the country’s Government and central bank were making “satisfactory efforts” to comply with the international sanctions placed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The European Union has been still trading with Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine, gaining up to $300 billion revenue for the country’s budget, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Thursday while commenting on EU’s criticism over Georgia’s trade, economic and flight ties with Russia.
The Civil Aviation Agency of Georgia on Monday said flights between Georgia and Russia would only be carried out by airlines and aircraft not under the international sanctions placed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, following the Kremlin’s approval of a lifting of a ban on direct air connections with Georgia last week.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said the country’s authorities were following the “strictest” examples of countries operating flights with Russia while observing international sanctions placed on the Kremlin for its invasion of Ukraine.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said the country’s current ties with Russia did not go beyond trade and economic relations.