Georgia, Tbilisi, Sept. 11 /Trend N.Kirtzkhalia/
The country needs aircrafts, and they were bought at an acceptable price, the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili told journalists in connection with the French helicopters, which Georgian Ministry of Economy intends to sell.
According to him, when buying these helicopters, Medvedev and Lavrov threatened France with sanctions, and that's why these helicopters were given a civilian view.
"The government is lying when it says that Saakashvili wanted helicopters for his trips. These were dual-purpose helicopters. They were given a civilian view in order to bypass the Russian sanctions. President Sarkozy was personally involved in purchase process, as well as the then Minister of Transport of France. Personally, I was ahead of the signing of this agreement, which was a breakthrough for Georgia," Saakashvili said.
Georgian President went on to add that when the new government came in power in Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili said that the French helicopters are not needed any more, and let us repair the Russian ones.
"He was told that it is not possible, because Russia does not give us spare parts and this will cost too much. At the moment Georgia needs these helicopters. If something happens in the mountains, they will not have any helicopter to save the person in trouble, or deploy police or army units," Saakashvili said.