Economy Minister: direct flights with Russia “can’t be viewed in same context” as other countries
He also said the meeting discussed enforcement of international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, noting the resumption of flights meant three new “connection points” - in the form of the international airports of Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi - had been opened with the country. Photo: Ministry of Economy
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Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said the restoration of direct flights between Russia and Georgia could “not be viewed in the same context” as situations facing other countries in their considerations with the Kremlin.
Making the comment after his meeting with ambassadors of European Union member states, Davitashvili told reporters the diplomats had “expressed their opinion regarding the resumption of the flights”, while the sides also reviewed the “current geopolitical situation in general”.
“[W]e discussed that the situation of Georgia cannot be viewed in the same context as the situation of other countries [...] I think this [position] is absolutely understandable and logical for ambassadors of many countries”, he said.
“First of all, Georgia is still not a member of the European Union. We have applied for membership of the EU, and we are making significant progress in this direction. We hope that this progress will be adequately appreciated by our European partners”, the Minister noted.
In comments about Georgia's “particularly difficult situation” in the context of the war in Ukraine, Davitashvili said the country shared a direct border with Russia, while 20 percent of the country was also occupied by Russian troops.
He also said the meeting discussed enforcement of international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, noting the resumption of flights meant three new “connection points” - in the form of the international airports of Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi - had been opened with the country.
“Today, you know that we have the main border at Larsi [checkpoint in the north], and customs control is strictly carried out here, and everyone emphasises this [...] However, there are three new screening points at Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi airports [...] Similar to the highest level of sanctions enforcement at the Larsi customs checkpoint, there will be additional customs controls at these airports as well”, Davitashvili said.
The Minister noted EU member states had “different attitudes” regarding trade relations with Russia.
"We also talked about the fact that positions of EU member states regarding trade relations are not clear today [...] You know that some countries have been trading significantly more with the Russian Federation since the start of the war. In 2022, the EU trade with the Russian Federation has increased by €5 billion. For some countries it has tripled, and for some countries it has decreased, of course”, he pointed out.
“Therefore, it is important for us to have a clear, open and honest dialogue with Europeans on each issue, and this, I think, is correctly assessed and appreciated by EU member states”, Davitashvili said.
The European Union Ambassador Pawel Herczynski told the media the restoration of direct flights with Russia was “not a positive thing” from the bloc’s point of view.
"I was assigned to convey the position of the European Union to the Georgian authorities. The EU position is agreed by the capitals of the 27 member states in Brussels. I was accompanied by all ambassadors of the EU member states represented in Tbilisi”, Herczynski said.
He told reporters the position conveyed to the Georgian Government was that the EU “regrets” the Government’s decision to agree to direct flights with Russia.
“We conveyed that this decision contradicts the unanimous decision of all 27 EU member states not to have direct flights to and from Russia, and not to allow Russian aircraft to fly over the territory of EU member states. We also expressed our concern that this decision runs counter to our determination to isolate Russia and pressure Russia to change its behaviour when it comes to the brutal, aggressive war Russia is still waging in Ukraine”, the diplomat highlighted.
Herczynski added he was “not aware” of any ongoing discussions in the European Union regarding the imposition of sanctions on the Georgian Government for the reopening of the flights.
Russia lifted its 2019-imposed ban on flights with Georgia May 15, with the restoration of air connections met by criticism of the domestic political opposition and some diplomatic representations in the country.
Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Tuesday claimed the country’s foreign partners had “no reasons for concern” about the recently resumed flights between Russia and Georgia.
The Revenue Service of Georgia on Monday rejected a claim by a member of the United National Movement opposition party who said rail freight from a company sanctioned for Russia's invasion of Ukraine had entered the Georgian territory from Azerbaijan last week.
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.
The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia on Monday responded to a report in the Armenian media on an alleged launch of regular sea freight links between Georgia’s Black Sea city of Batumi and the Russian port of Novorossiysk last month.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said the country’s Government imposing sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine would lead to “retaliatory measures” that would ultimately “threaten the security” of the country.
Gia Volski, the ruling Georgian Dream party MP and the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Monday said the Government imposing sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine would lead to “counter-sanctions” that would bring “serious consequences” for the country.
Irakli Karkashadze, the Director of the United Airports of Georgia, on Saturday said “none of" Russia's airlines or aircraft, sanctioned for its invasion of Ukraine, would be served at Georgian airports after the resumption of direct flights between the countries this week.
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.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday claimed ambassadors of European Union countries had “practically demanded” from the Georgian Government to impose sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in their meeting with Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday.
The Georgian Ministry of Finance on Thursday accused media and “certain politicians” of having “misinterpreted” comments by Jim O'Brien, the Head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the United States Department of State, on the enforcement of the international community’s sanctions placed on Russia in Georgia.