Culture Minister: Georgia's borders under control, allegations of Russia smuggling sanctioned products “unheard-of misinformation”
In her response, Tsulukiani also stressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine was “not only a tragedy of one country, but a tragedy of all.” Photo: 1tv.ge
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The statement of the Intelligence Service of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine on Russia creating smuggling channels for sanctioned products using Georgian territory is “unheard-of misinformation”, the Georgian Minister of Culture Thea Tsulukiani said on Tuesday.
Yesterday we saw unheard-of misinformation that Russia allegedly arranged channels to use the territory of Georgia for certain types of smuggling. […] Georgia's borders are under control, so that any sanctioned goods, be it military or dual-use, are subject to strict customs monitoring. This is the reality - everything else is a dirty lie,” the Culture Minister said.
In her response, Tsulukiani also stressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine was “not only a tragedy of one country, but a tragedy of all.”
The Ministry of Finance of Georgia said on Monday the allegation of Russia creating smuggling channels for sanctioned products using Georgian territory was “a completely baseless and absurd accusation.”
The Ministry declared "with full responsibility" that “any type of goods, both military and of dual-use, as well as all the products that are included in the list of sanctions, are subject to strict customs control by the Georgian Government.”
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine made the allegation of Georgian authorities allowing smuggling of sanctioned goods to the Russian Federation through the country’s territory on Monday.
The Georgian Government reaffirms its support for Ukraine not only through statements but also through actions, Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said on Monday.
The United States Government is in close contact with Georgian counterparts and the latter have stood by the international community over Ukraine, Ned Price, the US State Department Spokesperson, said in response to a question over allegations of Russia smuggling sanctioned products using Georgian territory.
Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, called the statement of the Main Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine on Russia creating smuggling channels for sanctioned products using Georgian territory a “lie” and “unacceptable”.
The Ministry of Finance of Georgia said on Monday the information on Russia creating smuggling channels for sanctioned products using Georgian territory was “a completely baseless and absurd accusation.”
Teimuraz Janjalia, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia, urged Andrei Kasyanov, the Ukrainian Charge d'Affaires in Georgia, to provide evidence of alleged secret ties between Georgian and Russian state services for organising smuggling of sanctioned goods through Georgian territory during a meeting on Tuesday.