Georgian Vice Speaker slams planned Russia-occupied Abkhazia fights as ‘illegal’

Georgia’s First Vice-Speaker of Parliament, Gia Volski, has condemned plans to launch direct flights between Russia and the breakaway region of Abkhazia, calling the move “illegal” and a “clear violation of international aviation standards”.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Volski asserted that any flights operating in the occupied territory “do not comply with the standards of the International Aviation Organization” and fall outside the framework of international law.

“The occupying state with power, which was invited to Georgia by the government before 2012 and legalized its presence here, is committing illegality,” Volski said. He added that despite the current situation, Georgia remained committed to peacefully restoring its territorial integrity.

Volski was responding to remarks made by Alkhas Kvitsinia, the so-called Ambassador of Abkhazia to Russia, who told Russian media that air traffic between Russia and Abkhazia would officially begin on 1 May – despite objections from Tbilisi.

Looking ahead, Volski maintained that “sooner or later, Abkhazia will be a part of Georgia not only de jure, but also de facto,” and only then could official talks on aviation routes be considered.

The Vice-Speaker also criticized the former Georgian government led by Mikheil Saakashvili, accusing it of actions that “undermined the country’s national interests” and “moral standing” in the conflict with Russia.

“After abandoning soldiers and refusing to address the status of Abkhazia on the international level, how can anyone accuse the current government of inaction?” he said. “On the contrary, Georgia has won several international court cases proving the territory is occupied.”

Abkhazia, a region internationally recognized as part of Georgia, has been under Russian military control since the 2008 war. Its unilateral declaration of independence has been recognized by only a few countries, with Russia being the most prominent.