“Not a single fact” of Russia sanctions evasion through Georgia “even at level of suspicion” - Parliament Speaker
In his remarks over the matter, Papuashvili accused “those who call on the Georgian Government to impose bilateral sanctions against Russia” of making calls for the country to “risk an escalation against Russia”. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said “not a single fact” of the international sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine being bypassed through the Georgian territory had been confirmed “even at the level of suspicion”.
In his remarks over the matter, Papuashvili accused “those who call on the Georgian Government to impose bilateral sanctions against Russia” of making calls for the country to “risk an escalation against Russia”.
There is no question mark for Georgia [on sanctions enforcement]. As for the sanctions, we have said from the first day of the war in Ukraine what our policy is, and we follow this policy in good faith. It is our policy that Georgia should not be used to circumvent the international sanctions, and not a single fact has been proven even at the level of suspicion”, Papuashvili said.
“Georgia itself does not impose bilateral sanctions against Russia. In this regard, we have often talked with our [Western] partners and there is absolutely an understanding from the partners in this regard. Anyone who calls on Georgia to impose bilateral sanctions against Russia is calling on Georgia to risk escalation against Russia, to risk a war with Russia”, the chief legislator continued.
He also stressed the visit of the European Union Sanctions Envoy David O’Sullivan to the country was “important”, as the EU official would have the opportunity to learn how “prepared” the Georgian state institutions were both in terms of technology and risk detection, so that “there is no possibility of using the territory of Georgia and circumventing the sanctions”.
Archil Talakvadze, the Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker, on Monday said Georgia “had not been and would not be” used to circumvent the international sanctions imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Monday said the country’s authorities were doing “everything” to prevent evasion of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine through the Georgian territory.
The European Union Sanctions Envoy David O’Sullivan will on Monday arrive in Georgia’s capital city of Tbilisi for a two-day visit to discuss with the Georgian authorities "issues of common interest", notably sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and their “effective” implementation.
The Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia on Sunday stated the country “fully complied with” the international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine since its establishment, and all customs procedures “have been strictly monitored”.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said Georgia was an “exceptionally reliable partner” for the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States in the enforcement of the international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Georgian Government’s coordinated work with the European Union and the international community to enforce the financial sanctions imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine was discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and sanctions officials from the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Georgian Government's coordination with its international partners on enforcement of financial sanctions imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine was discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and sanctions officials from the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili and sanctions officials from the European Union and the United States on Tuesday reviewed the Georgian Government's assistance to its international partners in the enforcement of financial sanctions imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
The Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia on Wednesday said that re-exporting of imported vehicles from the United States and the European Union member countries to Russia and Belarus would be prohibited from Georgia, as part of the international sanctions imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Committee on Human Rights, on Thursday said the Government was “committed” to preventing the possibility of use of the country’s territory for circumvention of the international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Rati Ionatamishvili, an MP of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said the Government was fulfilling its international obligations “in good faith”, following the Revenue Service’s announcement on Wednesday of prohibitions on re-export of vehicles imported from the United States and European Union member countries to Russia and Belarus.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday said domestic authorities had prevented “1,000 cases” of attempts of evasion of the international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, with “not a single fact” of their successful circumvention identified in the country.