The so-called Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement regarding the possible commencement of flights by Russian airlines at Sokhumi Airport – we urge Georgia to refrain from confrontational rhetoric

We urge Georgia to refrain from confrontational rhetoric, - this statement was made by the so-called Ministry of Foreign Affairs of occupied Abkhazia in response to the comments of the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency regarding the possible commencement of regular flights by Russian airlines at the occupied Sokhumi Airport.

"Against the backdrop of the recent statements by Georgian politicians, including that of Bidzina Ivanishvili, who stated that 'Georgia will have to apologize to the Ossetian side for 2008 and punish the former ruling party,' the Republic of Abkhazia, based on the recognition of the reality in the South Caucasus, was expecting to initiate pragmatic interactions. However, instead of a pragmatic approach to resolving relations, the Georgian authorities continue to make stereotypical, politically engaged, and reality-detached statements, which have become tiresome and only create additional tension. Another attack from the Georgian authorities is an attempt to hinder irreversible processes," the statement reads.

According to the so-called Ministry of Foreign Affairs of occupied Abkhazia, "such approaches do not contribute to the resolution of the prolonged crisis and undermine the possibility of dialogue."

"In this regard, the Republic of Abkhazia once again urges Georgia to refrain from confrontational rhetoric, sign a legally binding agreement on the non-use of force, and begin a new stage of constructive dialogue that takes into account the political and legal reality created after the conflicts of 1992-1993 and 2008," the statement says.

For reference, the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency told BMG that "the activation of the so-called Sokhumi Airport is illegal, and any foreign airline operating flights to occupied Abkhazia would violate the core and fundamental principles of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation."

A test flight from Moscow to the occupied Sokhumi Airport was carried out by the airline ЮВТ Аэро on February 7. According to reports, regular flights between occupied Abkhazia and Russia are expected to start on May 1.