Economy Minister: Georgia does not buy sanctioned oil, abides by sanctions “with responsibility”
The Minister made this statement at the press-briefing held after today's Government Meeting, in response to the request of Levan Khabeishvili. Photo: Ministry of Economy
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Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday rejected the notion of Georgia buying oil subject to international sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, adding the country abided by the sanctions with "maximum responsibility".
The Minister made this statement at the press-briefing held after today's Government Meeting, in response to the request of Levan Khabeishvili, one of the leaders of the National Movement, who gave a few days to fuel supplier companies of Wissol Group, Aragvi Impex and Lukoil to stop the import of sanctioned Russian oil to Georgia.
I want to point out emphatically and with full responsibility that Georgia does not buy sanctioned oil. Georgia abides by sanctions with maximum responsibility, there are no remarks against Georgia in this regard”, stated Davitashvili.
The Minister added that the oil purchased by the above-mentioned companies is not sanctioned.
“Such oil is purchased by many European countries, in Georgia, decisions are made by private commercial organisations taking into account the practices that exist.
“As for the enforcement mechanism, the customs structures of Georgia had specific work with the strategic partners of Georgia, all state agencies, representatives of various ministries were involved in the process together with experts when the specific enforcement mechanisms of sanctions were clarified. Decisions regarding oil or oil products are agreed with our strategic partners," Davitashvili said.
Earlier today Khabeishvili claimed that there are "dozens of companies that are interested in Russian bloody oil in Georgia", and called them to stop the import of sanctioned Russian oil to Georgia and "financing genocide in Ukraine".
The Georgian Revenue Service on Thursday rejected as “misinformation” a story aired on Mtavari Arkhi channel and a statement made by Levan Khabeishvili, a member of the United National Movement opposition party, that alleged oil had been imported in the country in circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus since the start of the war in Ukraine.
More than 90 operations have been suspended by the Georgian customs service in the country on suspicion of violations of sanctions imposed by the international community against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, Lasha Khutsishvili, the Georgian Finance Minister said on Tuesday.
Levan Davitashvili, the Georgian Economy Minister, on Wednesday said the country was part of “all international decisions on the sanctions” imposed by the international community against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, and adhered to the agreements with Georgia’s international partners.
Georgia is in full compliance with the financial sanctions imposed by the international community against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said on Thursday.
Guram Guramishvili, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, on Wednesday dismissed reports by several opposition-minded TV channels that a ship under sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had entered the Black Sea port of Batumi.
The Georgian Economy Ministry on Thursday dismissed reports by several opposition-minded TV channels that a cargo plane under sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had entered the Georgian airspace last week.
Georgia enjoys its international partners’ “full confidence” and acts together with the international community, we can appease our opponents that there is no circumvention of the sanctions imposed by the international community against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, Levan Davitashvili, the economy minister said on Thursday addressing the parliament.
Georgia is “one of the leading countries” in enforcement of international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, the country’s Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili said on Monday.