Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday remarked on Russia’s recent move to lift the ban on direct flights to Georgia, saying “This is a positive fact and a positive decision.”

“In Russia, we have one million ethnic Georgians, our compatriots. It’s critical to make their movement easier,” he said.

The Prime Minister went on to remark that “flights via unsanctioned airplanes are, to put it simply, a component of trade and economic relations, one small component and a non-main detail.”

Garibashvili mentioned “a few big countries” that have direct flights to Russia.

“China, a super state; Turkey, our friend, a neighbouring country with a large economy, a NATO member, and a country that already has EU candidate status; the Emirates; Israel, which is one of the US’s strategic partners and a real role model for me in many directions, they always follow and implement their own national policy in relation to all states; Azerbaijan, and Armenia, all of these countries have a direct flight to Russia via unsanctioned airplanes,” he stated.

Garibashvili underscored that no sanctioned airline or aircraft would fly a flight in the country.

“So, I want to reassure our real friends in Europe and everywhere that this is about economic and trade relations. Sanctioned companies and individuals are not permitted to enter our country. Since the start of the conflict, no facts about this have been recorded. As for trade, and the economy, it is in our interests and everyone, including, first of all, our friends, should understand this fact. If they truly are our friends and do not have other purposes and goals,” he continued.

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent decree, from May 15, 2023, Georgian citizens will be able to enter and leave Russia without a visa for up to 90 days on the basis of valid identity documents.

Moscow cut off the direct air links between Russia and Georgia in 2019, following the anti-Russian protests in Tbilisi.