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Irakli Kadagishvili, the Chairman of the Rules and Procedural Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, assessed Russia’s decision to open its market for Georgian dairy products as a “political provocation” on Monday.

Kadagishvili was speaking about the Russian authorities’ approval of importation of Georgian dairy at the end of last week, stressing the development should not be perceived as Georgia’s appeal for access to the market following the Russian invasion in Ukraine.

“Georgia had some trade and economic relations with Russia before the war in Ukraine. At the same time, it was the Georgian business’ initiative to diversify their market. These negotiations were not underway at this moment [during the war] – the negotiations started three years ago. The point is that Russia did not open the market for Georgian products and now made a political decision,” the ruling party MP explained.

Kadagishvili said more steps from Russia – designed to “contribute to escalating tensions” – should be expected, adding the Georgian Government’s decisions would not be “synchronous” with the former.