Prime Minister Gharibashvili Highlights Economic Importance of Direct Flights with Russia at Diaspora Forum
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, May 29, 2023
During his address at the Diaspora Forum, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili expressed a positive assessment of the commencement of direct flights with Russia. In his speech at the Diaspora Forum, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili emphasized that the direct flights with Russia are a part of economic trade relations, separate from politics.
He highlighted the importance of facilitating the movement and business activities of the Georgian diaspora and their families.
Gharibashvili cited examples of other countries, such as Moldova and Ukraine, having visa-free regimes, and expressed support for measures that make it easier for citizens and diaspora members to travel and conduct business.
He questioned the significance of restricting movement at the border and urged continued trade and economic cooperation. Gharibashvili also highlighted the significant financial contributions made by the diaspora through remittances, emphasizing the responsibility to support Georgian people wherever they are.
"We said that flights are a component of economic trade relations. This has nothing to do with politics or anything else. We mentioned that our 1 million diaspora and their relatives, families need free movement. Moldova currently has a visa-free regime, and I believe Ukraine still has a visa-free regime, or at least it had one before the war, if I'm not mistaken.
Therefore, there is nothing special here; on the contrary, anything that facilitates the movement and business activities of our fellow citizens and diaspora is highly beneficial.
I would like to add one more thing: every day, thousands of cars cross the border at the Lars checkpoint, including both passenger and cargo vehicles. What's the difference? I don't understand! Should we close it then? The next step would be to close the borders and halt trade.
We receive hundreds of millions of dollars annually in transfers from our diaspora. We are talking about billions. Hundreds of millions of dollars are coming in from our diaspora living in Russia, supporting family members, developing businesses, and aiding relatives. Why should we block it? What is happening? It is our obligation, on the contrary, to assist our people everywhere," said Gharibashvili.
Gharibashvili attributed the discontinuation of direct flights to Georgia in 2019 to the opposition's actions. The Prime Minister further expressed criticism towards the West, noting that although the Western nations had criticized Russia for halting the flights at that time, nothing substantial has changed since 2019, except for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
