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.