The restoration of direct flights with Russia does not contradict the European future of Georgia. Such a statement made today the Mayor of Tbilisi, while commenting a demarche by 27 EU countries to the Georgian Government regarding the restoration of direct flights with Russia.

“We have repeatedly made a statement regarding the fact that we will not and cannot join the sanctions. All this is due to the fact that we are pursuing the interest of our country and we do not want to make a decision that we know will be harmful to our country and our population.

Georgia is not a member state of the EU. We are an independent state, a sovereign country that aspires to Europe and we have a desire for European integration. When Georgia has the status, when Georgia is a member state of the EU, we will make decisions that are in common interests.

It is not clear to me what the flights have to do with moving closer to Russia, when it has been possible to travel by land, it has been possible for both Georgian and Russian citizens to arrive in Georgia through Yerevan, and what is the problem if direct flights also become possible.

I absolutely cannot understand why it is against the European future, European integration, if a citizen of Georgia with a Georgian passport will be able to move to Russia without a visa. Someone may want to go to Russia, someone will go to Italy, someone to Spain, what’s wrong with that?”, - said Kakha Kaladze.