The Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze has responded to Russian FM Sergey Lavrov’s recent interview with Russian newspaper Trud, in which the latter expressed hope that aviation connections with Georgia would be restored in the near future.
Abashidze noted the decision to suspend traffic was made by Russia, and that the resumption of flights also depended on the country, and that the epidemiological situation would have to be taken into account as well.
Georgia wants to have a friendly relationship with Russia as it does with other neighbors, but it should be based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity”, Abashidze noted, echoing Lavrov’s expression of hope that relations between the countries will improve.
[However], the militarisation, borderisation process continues...human rights violations take place every day. If Russia really wants to fully restore friendly relations and bilateral ties, it must first start fulfilling its international obligations, including the August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, and show real progress in the Geneva International Discussions,” said Abashidze.
Diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia were suspended after the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.