The opposition is trying to present all this as if the unilateral restoration of direct flights by Russia means the establishment of a strategic partnership. Of course, this is not so – there is no connection between the restoration of flights, the cancellation of the visa regime and the strategic partnership. If it were so, the USA would have established direct flights by now, or would have simplified the visa regime for our citizens, Georgian Dream chairman Irakli Kobakhidze said while evaluating the decision taken by the Russian President regarding the restoration of flights and the cancellation of the visa regime for Georgian citizens.
Kobakhidze also explained that in 2019, as Russia unilaterally made a decision to ban flights, it also unilaterally made a decision to restore them, which, according to Kobakhidze, is good in terms of better realization of the interests of the population of Georgia.
“Regarding flights, there are many countries where there are flights. They have a partnership with the West, although they have flights with the Russian Federation, among them is Israel, which is a strategic partner of the US and has direct flights with Russia, and there is also Turkey, which is a candidate for EU membership and a member of NATO, and there are also flights there. There are also flights to our neighbors Azerbaijan and Armenia. In general, all this indicates that there is no basis in the speculations either. The opposition is trying to present all this as if the unilateral restoration of direct flights on the part of Russia means the establishment of a strategic partnership. We hear such speculations directly or indirectly. Of course, this is not the case, there is no connection between the restoration of flights, the cancellation of the visa regime and the strategic partnership. If it were so, the USA would have established direct flights by now, or would have simplified the visa regime for our citizens,” said Kobakhidze.
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