European ambassadors in Georgia made a demarche related to the resumption of direct flights to Russia.
On Monday, May 29, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Pavel Gerchinsky, gave the Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Levan Davitashvili a demarche related to the resumption of direct flights between Georgia and Russia. This was reported by Interpressnews.
Together with Gerchinsky, the ambassadors of all 27 EU states met with the Georgian vice-premier.
“We told him (Davitashvili – ed.) that we regret the decision of the Georgian government to restore the direct air link with Russia. This decision is contrary to the unanimous decision of all 27 EU members not to fly directly to and from Russia and not to allow Russian aircraft to fly over the territory of EU member states,” the ambassador said.
Although the decision to resume flights was made by Russia, its adoption also requires the consent of the Georgian government here, the diplomat said.
“We also express our concern that this decision contradicts our determination to isolate Russia and force Russia to change its actions in the face of the brutal, aggressive war it is still waging in Ukraine,” said Gerchinsky.
Davitashvili assured the ambassadors of EU countries that companies under European sanctions will not serve flights, and all arriving Russians will be carefully checked.
As you know, in diplomatic practice, demarche is a rare form of address.
Remember, on May 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing Georgian citizens to visit Russia without issuing a visa for up to 90 days. In addition, he lifted the ban on flights by Russian airlines and the sale of tours to Georgia.
On May 19, the first plane from Russia since 2019 arrived in Georgia. The flight from Moscow was met with a huge protest. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili also opposed the resumption of air traffic with the Russian Federation.
Source: korrespondent
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