James Appathurai Calls on Russia to Remove Georgian Flight Ban
The NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, James Appathurai, has said he believes that the ban imposed by Russia on flights with Georgia is unacceptable and should be removed as soon as possible.
Appathurai made the statement in his interview with Georgia’s Imedi TV, saying any restrictions on travel or trade imposed by Russia are completely unacceptable.
“This is crucial for the Georgian economy and this restriction should be lifted as soon as possible,” he added.
NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative stated the position of the Alliance member states is that no matter what happens, there should be no violence and no processes beyond the law.
“NATO member states want to see reduced tensions in Georgia and open, calm political debate on issues that are important for Georgia, the future of the country and its population,” he said.
Appathurai noted that during the visit of the North Atlantic Council to Georgia on October 3-4, these issues will be also discussed.
“At the meetings with Russia, we always talk about relations with our neighboring countries and their attitude towards them, especially Ukraine and Georgia. We also talk about Russian and NATO military exercises. At all meetings with Russia, we say that NATO supports Georgia and Ukraine's independence and political sovereignty,” he added.
Appathurai underlined that Russia must respect the principles of international law, commitments, and the territorial integrity of its neighbors.
"One thing is what Russia is saying and the other is NATO's firm position. Russia creates difficulties, but we must deal with these difficulties, which we do by consensus,” he said, adding the Alliance cannot receive new members if it increases tension.
He also emphasized that NATO member states have already made a decision on Georgia and have said that it will become an Alliance member, but when is still unknown.
“The partner country must be ready to join the Alliance. First, it must want and then meet the required standards. We also need to look at Euro-Atlantic security in a broader context. We cannot take on a new member if it will increase tension and risk damage to that new member, NATO or its neighborhood,” he explained.
He added that the Alliance will never let a third party to interfere in this process. According to him, NATO is not approaching Russia's borders, but countries close to the Russian borders want to get closer to NATO and join the Alliance.
“Russia did not want Montenegro to join NATO. It did not want northern Macedonia or the Baltic States to join NATO either. With regard to Georgia, they have proved their negative attitude not only in words. It is clear what is happening in occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which is part of their desire to control Georgia's direction. We know this very well,” he said.
Appathurai noted that if we look at history, Russia never demonstrated positive relations with Georgia. He went on to confirm once again that Georgia’s NATO membership is on the agenda, despite the existing difficulties.
“These threats have not prevented Georgia or NATO from continuing to deepen relations, cooperation, pursuing a goal, moving towards future integration, supporting Georgia's reform path, Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he said.
On June 21, 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree banning Russian airlines from flying to Georgia from July 8 in response to anti-Moscow rallies in Tbilisi. The Kremlin says the ban will be removed when the two countries normalize relations.
To note, the Russian Federation has occupied 20% of the Georgian territory since the August 2008 war.
By Thea Morrison
Image source: NATO