Revenue Service rejects "false information" on Czech-made products being exported to Russia
The Revenue Service acknowledged imports of goods from European Union countries including the Czech Republic had increased, adding "most of the goods" included machinery, devices and primary consumer goods imported by companies and intended for local consumption, "not for re-export to other countries". Photo: Revenue Service
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Georgia's Revenue Service on Friday "categorically and with full responsibility" declared the media report on Wednesday that cited the Czech Ambassador as saying Czech-made products had been exported from Georgia to Russia in a circumvention of international sanctions as "false information".
Georgian news outlet Netgazeti quoted Petr Mikiska as saying exports of Czech products to Georgia had almost doubled in 2022 compared to last year, and claiming at least a part of the difference had gone to Russia.
The Revenue Service acknowledged imports of goods from European Union countries including the Czech Republic had increased, adding "most of the goods" included machinery, devices and primary consumer goods imported by companies and intended for local consumption, "not for re-export to other countries".
The statement also said Georgia "strictly takes into account" the restrictions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and other countries on trade with Russia and Belarus.
It also said products on the sanctions list were subject to special customs control, with "hundreds of cases" of refusals issued by authorities on releasing goods produced in the EU to Russia and vice-versa.
The Service also said it was "surprising and incomprehensible" to see the Czech ambassador release "unverified, false information" and "cast doubt on Georgia as a reliable partner country without any evidence or justification".
The statement also noted the Service had held a number of meetings with embassies of EU member states, including the Czech Republic, "where the measures taken by the Georgian customs service in the process of sanctions enforcement were highly appreciated".
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said there could be a “diplomatic response” if an allegation by Mikiska was confirmed. Kobakhidze noted similar statements had been made by high-ranking officials of the Ukrainian government before the claims were retracted.