Saakashvili: Russia will not Cut Air Traffic

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told reporters on September 17 that Russia will not prevent Georgian air carriers from entering Russian airspace.

Earlier this month the Russian Transport Ministry notified the Georgian Civil Aviation Department that Russia intended to close its airspace to Georgian airlines starting from October 1. Russia quoted the debt of USD 3,6 million owed to the Russian navigation service by Georgian air carriers.

?We also expect in the near future that Russia will reopen its borders with Georgia. The closure of borders makes problems, not only for us, but for our neighbors as well,? Mikheil Saakashvili said.

The road traffic between Georgia and Russia has been suspended since early September, after the Russian side closed down its border with Georgia following the hostage tragedy in the North Ossetian town of Beslan.