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.
Sarjveladze made the comment in response to a remark by Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, who said on Thursday that sanctioned Russian aircraft should not be allowed to enter Georgian airspace.
The remark came after Vladimir Putin’s announcement on Wednesday on resuming air travel between the two countries - which Moscow had cancelled in 2019 - while another decree introduced 90-day visa-free travel for Georgian citizens starting from May 15.
Sarjveladze said the same attitude towards the matter of not allowing Russia’s sanctioned aircraft to enter the country’s airspace had been first displayed by the Georgian Government just before the statement of the US State Department, stressing the restoration of direct flights from Russia would not affect Georgia's political integration into the European Union.
It will not be “fair” or “honest” if anyone, including the domestic opposition or their supporters abroad, tries to use this factor against the Georgian Government and the interests of the state, Sarjveladze said, adding Russia had unilaterally made the decision and consequently, Georgia would not be held responsible for this “in any way”.
The Parliament’s official also emphasised that taking into consideration Georgia’s Association Agreement with the EU, particular preconditions and perspectives for the EU integration, everything would depend on subsequent steps and the decision of the EU, by assessing the country’s compliance with the standards and conditions set for granting the bloc’s membership candidate status to Georgia.
He also pointed out that “Georgia's approach towards EU integration has not changed”, adding he hoped European colleagues would take into account the country’s advancements achieved over recent years before taking the decision on granting Georgia the membership candidate status.