I do not welcome the restoration of flights to Russia!

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili responds to statements about the resumption of flights with Russia and says she does not welcome the resumption of flights. According to her, the Georgian Dream's position on this issue is unclear.

The president says that instead of resuming flights, the government should take care of the country's reputation and respond categorically to accusations against the country.

See the statement in full:

"At a time when all of our partner countries are expressing in word or deed maximum solidarity with the selfless struggle of Ukraine, the position of the government and the ruling party is incomprehensible to me, to say the least, and I am sure to much of society.

I cannot agree with the argument that is used to support this position, as if it serves to alleviate the problems of Georgians living in Russia. For months, despite all my efforts, I have not been able to achieve any result regarding the simplification of the criteria for granting citizenship - an issue that most worries our compatriots abroad, including Russia.

At present, if we are mindful of Russia's already outdated tricks, we should understand that the Kremlin will "throw out" such topics when it hopes to create some kind of rift between us and our Western partners. This is not to be allowed!

Instead, as I have repeatedly urged the government, the issue of the influx of Russian citizens, with all its social and political parameters, must be seriously examined so that the public can feel that its national interests and security are taken into account and protected. We need regulations - on employment rights, on business registration, on the acquisition of property, or on the opening of Russian-language schools.

Also, instead of resuming flights, the government should take care of the country's reputation and respond categorically to accusations against the country - about circumventing sanctions through Georgia! All this requires a serious governmental approach and refutation of the accusations, which will be categorical and backed up by facts!