Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has dismissed Latvian President Edgar Rinkevic's call for Georgia to fully join sanctions on Russia.
He said the imposition of bilateral sanctions - while Georgia participates in international sanctions but does not impose direct restrictions - "will cause a new phase of escalation with Russia."
"That is why this call is alarming. By the way, there have been no such demands from EU and NATO partners recently," he said.
Shalva Papuashvili said in this regard that the Latvian president's call came after his meeting with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who is visiting the Baltic states without the government's approval, which, Georgian Dream leaders insist, is a violation of the Constitution.
"This is very bad," he noted.
"Sanctions against Russia mean for Georgia to enter a war and an economic blow, risks for our security. Therefore, those who call us for sanctions against Russia and at the same time deny us security guarantees are pushing for escalation," the Georgian Parliament Speaker said.
According to him, "instead of words of unconditional support, Tbilisi heard from Riga a statement containing criticism", which confirms that the visits of the Georgian president "bring harm" to Georgia's European aspirations.
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