US Department of State Calls on Russia to Resume Flights to Georgia

The United States is concerned about the disproportionate reaction of the Russian Government and the Duma in connection with the events in Georgia, stated the US Department of State, according to ‘Voice of America.’

"The United States is concerned about the disproportionate reaction of the Russian Government and the Duma in connection with the ongoing events in Georgia. We welcome the statements and decisions made by Russian and Georgian leaders aimed at stabilizing bilateral relations and call on Russia to resume flights to Georgia and back," the representative of Department of State said, adding that foreign tourists from all over the world feel safe in Georgia.

"We keep supporting Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and call on Russia to end the occupation of 20% of the territory of Georgia," the representative of Department of State said.

Flights between Georgia and Russia were banned from July 8 on the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The ban on flights was announced after mass demonstrations kicked off in Georgia's capital of Tbilisi on June 20. Society's anger was sparked when Russian MP Sergei Gavrilov addressed the participants of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy in the Parliament of Georgia from the Speaker’s chair, speaking in Russian.

Russia banned flights over "fears for the safety of its citizens."

By Ana Dumbadze