The ambassadors of 27 EU countries handed over to the Georgian government an appeal regarding the restoration of direct flights with Russia. The document was presented to the Head of the Ministry of Economy of Georgia Levan Davitashvili by EU Ambassador to Georgia Pavel Gerchinsky.

“We conveyed that we regret the decision of the Georgian government to agree to direct flights with Russia. This decision contradicts the unanimous opinion of 27 EU member states not to have direct flights with Russia, not to allow Russian aircraft to cross the EU airspace,” Gerchinsky said.

Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Levan Davitashvili responded to the demarche: “Our situation cannot be identified with the situation of the EU countries. First of all, Georgia is not a member of the European Union. We have applied for membership and have made significant progress in this direction. The context of Georgia is really different. Our situation is specific, whether in terms of security or economic relations.”

Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Archil Talakvadze, in turn, said that the country clearly fulfills all obligations in the context of relations with Russia and continues to support Ukraine. He recalled that the Georgian government did not lift sanctions against Russia.