President “proud” of Georgians protesting entry of Russian cruise ship

President Salome Zourabichvili on Friday said she was proud of the Georgian citizens, who on Thursday protested the entry of a Russian cruise ship in Georgia’s coastal city of Batumi. 

 

In her social media post, Zourabichvili claimed it was the “latest provocation” by Russia amid the latter’s move earlier this month to withdraw from the grain agreement ensuring the transportation of wheat and agricultural products from Ukraine, and “hinder” a free navigation in the Black Sea. 

 

In his comments on Thursday, Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, called the developments and the rally at the Batumi Port, “incivility”, which he said had brought a number of “grave consequences to the country at different times”, including in 1990s and under the previous United National Movement rule between 2004-2012. 

 

The official also made a mention of the Russia-Georgia 2008 in this context, before highlighting the need for a “pragmatic, rational, correct policy for our country”. 

 

People escorted the Russian citizens on the ASTORIA GRANDE cruise liner with whistles and shouts in Batumi port. The liner is operated by the Turkish cruise company Miray Cruises International and entered the country from Turkey.