Sergey Lavrov - We Agreed with Gharibashvili's Government on Restoration of Flights

He added that, now, ‘’on the basis of reciprocity, the introduction of a visa-free regime for Georgian citizens and the establishment of air connections makes the relationship between the states more convenient, more comfortable.’’ 

‘’The number of flights is increasing, the scope of direct flights is also expanding, and trade turnover is growing. Many traditional Georgian export products are very popular in our country: wine, Borjomi, and many more,’’ says Lavrov.

In the interview, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia also spoke about the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Georgia.

‘’We did not sever diplomatic relations. It was the initiative of Saakashvili’s regime, which, with encouragement from the US, raised its hand to its own citizens, the Ossetians, whom it considered its citizens, and to the peacekeepers [Russia], and when it got an appropriate response, it began to compensate for its complete political and military failure with anti-Russian actions. We have never had a negative attitude towards the Georgian people. We really love the Georgian people, as well as all the people of Transcaucasia. Georgians have a special place in the history of Russia and the Soviet Union, in the history of our art, culture, and science.’’

To the journalist's question - who is lying, Lavrov, who said that the restoration of flights was agreed with the government of Irakli Gharibashvili, or the Prime Minister himself, who said that Russia made the decision independently, Gharibashvili answered as follows:

‘’It's a tough question, I don't know how to respond. In fact, things are very simple. I will remind you that before that the President of Russia said that it was solely his decision - to restore the visa-free regime and flights. What Mr. Lavrov said today was just a statement of facts. 

Of course, this agreement was signed with the Government of Georgia, in particular, the Aviation Agency of the Ministry of Economy, which has to give consent to the relevant agency and companies looking to fly here. This is the agreement he was referring to. So what scandal are you seeing here? What are you fishing for?

The statement you heard today was just a confirmation of the fact that an agreement was signed with the Georgian Government. We did not do this secretly. After Russia said that it would restore flights and introduce a visa-free regime for our citizens, we welcomed it, we said that it was a positive step, that would benefit our people and our country; this is good. We did all this openly, said that we would agree, and signed an agreement. We also said that only non-sanctioned airlines and aircraft would be allowed,’’ Gharibashvili said. 

The Russian Federation unilaterally introduced the visa regime with Georgia in 2000. In 2008, after the August War and the recognition of the so-called independence of the occupied territories of Georgia, Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia, and visa-free policy for Russian citizens was also revoked. In October 2010, the Georgian government established a visa-free regime for residents of the North Caucasus republics [Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, and Adyghe]. They were allowed to stay in Georgia for 90 days. Since March 2012, this regime has been extended to all citizens of Russia.

From July 2019, direct air travel between Georgia and Russia stopped. Direct flights were banned by Putin's decision, which was preceded by protests held in Tbilisi in connection with the visit of the deputy of the Russian Duma, Sergey Gavrilov.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stripped visa requirements for Georgian citizens on May 15, 2023. Also, the ban imposed in 2019 on Russian airlines to operate flights and sell tours in Georgia was lifted.