The Chairman of the Supreme Council of Adjara, Tsotne Ananidze, stated that everyone in Georgia, regardless of whether they are Georgian citizens or tourists of any nationality, is obliged to obey the law. He was commenting on demands by some social media users to ban Russian citizens from entering Georgia, following a scandal at a hotel in Telavi involving Russian women.
Ananidze emphasized that focusing on the nationality of tourists does not serve Georgia’s economic interests.
“Georgia and our region are tourist destinations. In addition, the country ranks high in international safety ratings. If administrative offenses or crimes are recorded, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will certainly respond. There has not been and cannot be any discriminatory approach toward anyone. It does not matter who it is—a Georgian citizen or a tourist of any nationality—everyone is obliged to obey the law,” he stated.
The official noted that the political assessments being voiced today are understandable. He recalled how, in 2010, Georgia’s third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, invited tourists from the Russian Federation at the Lars checkpoint to become guests of Georgia.
“We must not forget that in 2010, the former authorities themselves invited, among others, Russian tourists through the Lars checkpoint. There is also another important factor: after the collapse of the Soviet Union, many of our compatriots became Russian citizens. Should someone really prevent them from entering?
Deliberately focusing on the nationality of individual tourists is certainly not in the interest of Georgia’s economy. We are a tourist and safe country. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, with its experienced and qualified staff, ensures the safety of the tourist season,” Ananidze stated.