Stake on pragmatism: in Georgia they expressed hope for the continuation of trade relations with Russia

Georgian authorities hope that Russia will not impose a ban on Georgian products and will not end trade relations with the republic. This opinion was expressed by Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Natia Turvanava and Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Levan Davitashvili during a meeting in Gurdjaani with farmers and representatives of the hotel business of the Kakheti region.

According to the First Channel of the Public Broadcaster of Georgia, the forum discussed issues related to the situation in agriculture and tourism, as well as the political situation in the country.

“We had a built economy, and now it is collapsing due to 10-15 nationals (members of the United National Movement opposition party. - RT ).” Why should we suffer? Ahead of us is waiting for the vintage, where do we put so many grapes? Our request and demand is that the authorities are able to establish a dialogue with Russia and resolve this issue, ”TASS quotes a local farmer, Mikhail Manisashvili.

In turn, Minister of Economy Natia Turvanava described the situation in Georgia as “stable”. According to her, the country treats all tourists with respect, including from Russia.

“Today the Georgian economy is quite diversified, including thanks to the efforts of our government. Trade with Russia in terms of exports is 13%. Of course, there are other countries, there is a choice, but do we really have to give up these 13%? Of course not. The economy, including exports, should grow, and you should be able to trade with any country where you think your products will sell better, ”she added.

At the same time, Georgian Minister of Agriculture of Georgia Levan Davitashvili expressed hope that the Russian side will not impose a trade embargo.

“I think that the progress achieved with Russia will be preserved. Our government has proven that we can pursue a pragmatic policy. We will be able to continue trade relations, including in the field of wine, which is a rather important agro-industrial export product, ”said Davitashvili.

According to him, it is important that trade relations are expert in nature and based on a pragmatic approach to business, without emotions.

“I hope that we will receive answers from the Russian Federation, and from their side the processes will be adequately perceived,” he noted.

Recall that on June 24, the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection reported on strengthening control over the quality of alcoholic beverages coming from Georgia. Rospotrebnadzor noted that from 2014 to 2018 the number of detected alcohol products from Georgia, which did not meet the necessary requirements, increased by 2.9 times.

In addition, the government instructed to work out the issue of labeling drinks from wine materials.

“In connection with the discussion of two bills on amending the Tax Code, attention was drawn to the need to record in the minutes of the meeting instructions on the need to work out the issue of labeling wine products made from wine materials so that they can be distinguished from products made from grapes”, - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said during a meeting on July 4.

• Workers unload harvested grapes at Chateau Manavi plant in Kakheti
• RIA News
• © Alexander Imedashvili

“Mostly Russophobes in power in Georgia”

As Vladimir Gutenyov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, Industry, Innovative Development and Entrepreneurship, noted, the Georgian authorities have a pragmatic approach to Russia. According to him, in Tbilisi they declare their dislike for Moscow, but nevertheless they want to make money on Russian tourists and their wine-making products.

“It seemed to us that normalization of relations, including economic ones, was starting to happen, but it was an illusory approach. Now we should be talking not only about the clear and tough position of Russia, but also the choice of every Russian. Moscow is not particularly interested in developing economic relations in spite of its national interests, ”the source explained.

In turn, the director of the Institute of Contemporary State Development, Dmitry Solonnikov, pointed to a split in Georgian society, the line of which is Russia and relations with it.

“The two main camps are supporters of Ivanishvili and supporters of Saakashvili are principled opponents in the current Georgian policy. For Ivanishvili’s party, relations with Russia can be built on mutually beneficial relations, his “Georgian Dream” party calmly treats contacts with the Russian Federation, relations have improved for several years. There are no positive ideas in the Saakashvili party (“United National Movement”), only negative. This is the main task: Russia is the enemy, ”the expert emphasized.

According to him, in the minority in Georgian society are those who are in favor of improving relations with the Russian Federation.

“Unfortunately, people who more adequately relate to things do not have the ability to control the policy of Georgia. While in the country russophobes rule. They form the face of Georgian politics. Therefore, Russia is forced to respond to current events accordingly. The question is whether Georgian society can somehow overcome this split. If this happens, the relationship can be normalized, ”explained Solonnikov in a conversation with RT.

It should be noted that on Monday, July 8, a temporary ban for Russian airlines on air passenger traffic from the territory of the Russian Federation to Georgia will come into effect. The decree signed by President Vladimir Putin notes that such measures are being taken to ensure the national security of the country and to protect Russians from criminal and illegal actions.

The Kremlin took such a step after anti-Russian demonstrations took place on June 20 in Tbilisi. The occasion was the speeches of the radicals, who were unhappy that the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Orthodoxy and State Duma Deputy Sergei Gavrilov sat in the chair of the Georgian parliamentary speaker - although this was in accordance with the protocol. Radical politicians disrupted the meeting, after which riots occurred when trying to seize the parliament building. To disperse the protesters, law enforcement officers used rubber bullets and tear gas. As a result, emergency suffered 240 people. At the same time, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili accused Russia of organizing protests in the country, calling Moscow an “enemy and occupier”.