The resumption of Russia-Georgia direct flights does not violate any sanctions, said Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, contradicting the May 22 comment by Matthew Miller, Spokesperson of the US Department of State, who warned companies in Georgian airports could be at risk for sanctions.

According to the Speaker, Georgia fully complies with international sanctions.

“On the one hand, we do not allow bypassing international sanctions by using Georgia. Georgia is honest, and there are no facts, rumours and doubts,” he stressed.

Shalva Papuashvili further clarified that Georgia does not impose bilateral sanctions. In his words, when no country or organization guarantees the military and economic security of Georgia, it is unjust to demand Georgia impose bilateral sanctions.

“More than a year ago, we declared our policy to Russia. On the one hand, we do not disregard international sanctions. Georgia is sincere. Second, we do not impose bilateral sanctions. The Georgian people also agree with this policy, and last year the Georgian opposition also agreed.

Closing the sky, tightening visa rules, and any such decision means a sanction, and sanction means escalation. This creates a situation where it is difficult to predict what will happen next. While no country, no organization guarantees the military and economic security of Georgia, the demand that the country impose bilateral sanctions is unfair,” said Shalva Papuashvili.

Answering the opposition’s allegation of secret deals with Russia, Shalva Papuashvili said: “There are no negotiations. We are talking about a unilateral decision on the part of Russia. After all, Georgia has not made any decision. There was a unilaterally imposed visa obligation for Georgian citizens, and it was lifted unilaterally.”