The News in Brief
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Russia Cancels Visa Regime with Georgia and Resumes Direct Flights
The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has issued a decree revoking the visa-free travel option to Georgia. Additionally, Russian airlines are now permitted to operate direct flights to Georgia as the ban on such flights has been lifted by Putin.
Starting from May 15, Russia's visa requirements for Georgian citizens will be lifted as per the decision made by Vladimir Putin. This means that Georgian nationals will be allowed to stay in Russia for up to 90 days without the need for a visa.
An order issued by Vladimir Putin has already been published, which pertains to the lifting of the ban on flights to Georgia for Russian airlines. The order declares the previous ban on flights to Georgia, which was instituted on June 21, 2019, as invalid.
Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has announced that the ministry has canceled its previous recommendation for Russian citizens to avoid traveling to Georgia.
Zakharova, the recent decisions made by the President of the Russian Federation to allow for visa-free travel of Georgian citizens to Russia and to restore flights between the two countries are consistent with Russia's approach to facilitating communication and contact between the citizens of Russia and Georgia, despite the current lack of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Georgian Foreign Minister Welcomes Russia's Decision to Cancel Visa Regime for Georgian Citizens
In response to Russia's decision to cancel the visa regime for Georgian citizens, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili, stated that any responsible government would welcome a move that allows its citizens to fly directly.
Darchiashvili stated that the welfare of Georgian citizens residing abroad has always been a priority for the Georgian government, and this decision is no exception. He emphasized that over a million Georgians live in Russia, and the cancellation of the visa regime will ease their living conditions and allow them to maintain closer contact with their loved ones and relatives in Georgia. From a humanitarian perspective, any responsible government would welcome such a decision, he added.
"We have said many times and we always say that our citizens living abroad are always our concern, including in this case. I want to say unequivocally that more than a million of our citizens live in the Russian Federation, who have very close ties with people, their loved ones, and relatives who live in Georgia. This decision, seen from a humanitarian prism, is welcome by any responsible government. The decision will make living conditions easier for our citizens and will allow them to be able to communicate and commute with each other," said Darchiashvili.
Russia Cancels Visa Regime with Georgia and Resumes Direct Flights
Starting from May 15, Russia's visa requirements for Georgian citizens will be lifted as per the decision made by Vladimir Putin. This means that Georgian nationals will be allowed to stay in Russia for up to 90 days without the need for a visa.
An order issued by Vladimir Putin has already been published, which pertains to the lifting of the ban on flights to Georgia for Russian airlines. The order declares the previous ban on flights to Georgia, which was instituted on June 21, 2019, as invalid.
Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has announced that the ministry has canceled its previous recommendation for Russian citizens to avoid traveling to Georgia.
Zakharova, the recent decisions made by the President of the Russian Federation to allow for visa-free travel of Georgian citizens to Russia and to restore flights between the two countries are consistent with Russia's approach to facilitating communication and contact between the citizens of Russia and Georgia, despite the current lack of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Georgian Foreign Minister Welcomes Russia's Decision to Cancel Visa Regime for Georgian Citizens
Darchiashvili stated that the welfare of Georgian citizens residing abroad has always been a priority for the Georgian government, and this decision is no exception. He emphasized that over a million Georgians live in Russia, and the cancellation of the visa regime will ease their living conditions and allow them to maintain closer contact with their loved ones and relatives in Georgia. From a humanitarian perspective, any responsible government would welcome such a decision, he added.
"We have said many times and we always say that our citizens living abroad are always our concern, including in this case. I want to say unequivocally that more than a million of our citizens live in the Russian Federation, who have very close ties with people, their loved ones, and relatives who live in Georgia. This decision, seen from a humanitarian prism, is welcome by any responsible government. The decision will make living conditions easier for our citizens and will allow them to be able to communicate and commute with each other," said Darchiashvili.