MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, commenting on the commencement of air traffic by Russian airlines to the occupied Abkhazia region, states that Georgia’s position is unequivocal and the state strongly condemns the operation of the airport in violation of international norms. Levan Davitashvili spoke in detail about the issue at a briefing held at the government administration.

“Our position on this is unequivocal and we have stated it repeatedly – Georgia condemns the operation of the airport in violation of international norms, and this is not only our position and statement, but it is also supported by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). We have constant dialogue and close cooperation with the organization; this contradicts ICAO principles and the Law on Occupied Territories. The Ministry has always had a clear position and reaction on this – it has always been openly condemned by us, and we will, of course, maintain this position” – the First Vice Prime Minister stated.

As Levan Davitashvili explains, when the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency, in accordance with international norms and ICAO standards, cannot assess and verify safety standards, the organization unequivocally does not recognize it. According to the First Vice Prime Minister, this case involves the operation of several sanctioned companies.

Speaking on this topic, the First Vice Prime Minister also emphasizes that Georgia’s position is clear and recorded at all levels – that the commencement of flights by Russian airlines to the occupied region is unequivocally inconsistent with the rules of the international convention. Furthermore, according to him, safety standards in any given airport must be checked in accordance with ICAO standards to ensure that international flights are carried out primarily based on passenger safety.

“Our position is very clear and recorded at all levels, publicly as well, and therefore, I think there is no need for speculation on this. Companies that violate the Law on Occupied Territories will, of course, not be able to operate in Georgia. Therefore, all the instruments at our disposal have been used. If specific sanctioned companies operate, but we do not have the means to influence them, this is an objective circumstance – this is occupied territory, unrecognized by us and also unrecognized by the international community” – the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development said.