Following a meeting with Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Levano Davitashvili on May 29, EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski said that he heard the previous arguments regarding restoring direct flights with Russia.

According to the European diplomat, the Ambassadors of the EU countries recorded concern on this issue. “The decision was made by Moscow, but its implementation required the consent of Tbilisi,” Herczynski stressed. "This decision contradicts the decision of the EU countries not to fly to Russia and that aircraft from Russia should not fly over the territory of the EU countries. We also expressed our concern - this decision is against our decision, namely, to isolate Russia and increase pressure on Russia to change its behavior. Russia decided to resume air traffic, but this required the consent of the Georgian authorities. That is why I conveyed a message that has been agreed with 27 countries of the European Union, in which we express our regret over the decision of the Georgian authorities to restore direct flights with Russia," he added.

According to the Ambassador, he currently has no information about any discussion in the European Union regarding sanctions against the Georgian government. "One thing is clear – such a development is not positive, in our opinion. But it is up to the 27 EU countries to decide whether and how this will affect Georgia's aspirations to become a member of the EU," the EU Ambassador to Georgia said after meeting with Davitashvili.

Levan Davitashvili, after meeting with the ambassadors of 27 EU countries accredited in Georgia, said that an open dialogue had taken place between the parties. Davitashvili stated, "Georgia cannot be considered in the same context as other countries since Georgia borders directly on the Russian Federation."

"We had an open, sincere dialogue on relevant issues for the ambassadors of the EU member states. You know that the EU countries have expressed their positions on restoring air traffic between Georgia and the Russian Federation. We discussed the geopolitical situation in general. It was noted that the situation in which Georgia finds itself cannot be considered in the context of the situation in other countries. Georgia is in a particularly difficult situation: we have a direct border with the Russian Federation, and 20% of Georgia's territories are occupied, so the context of Georgia is different from that of the EU member states," Davitashvili added.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia, the parties also discussed the issue of the implementation of sanctions by Georgia at the meeting. Davitashvili noted that after Moscow's decision, in addition to the Upper Lars customs checkpoint, customs control will be strengthened at three more points - the airports of Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi.

"We also discussed three new points connected with Russia. You know that the main one is Lars, where we carry out customs control, and everyone recognizes that Georgia is a reliable international partner in implementing sanctions. Although there are three more points of contact - airports in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. And on our part, there is a readiness to increase customs capabilities - to implement sanctions at the same highest level as in Lars. Additional customs control will be carried out at these airports. We informed the EU ambassadors about this today," Davitashvili said.