Georgia “among leaders” in enforcement of sanctions on Russia - Finance Minister
Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Monday said there were “no grounds” to accuse Georgia of aiding Russia in evading sanctions. Photo: Finance Ministry press office
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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.
Coming after the weekly Government meeting, Khutsishvili’s comment was also responding to a question asked by a CNN reporter to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week on alleged export of sanctioned goods to Russia through Georgia.
The Minister stressed there were “no grounds to raise such allegations”, and noted the Georgian Government had been in “constant communication” with the European Union, United States and “all of its foreign partners” to facilitate the enforcement of the sanctions.
Both in the financial sector and in trade, the Government of Georgia and the country’s National Bank are exercising very strict control. I can say unequivocally that the authorities are in very close coordination with our partners - both the US and EU - and information is being exchanged on a daily basis”, the Minister said.
Khutsishvili also noted the Government had received letters of gratitude over the past year for its efforts in ensuring the enforcement of the sanctions in accordance with standards.
All instruments a country needs to have [for the enforcement of the sanctions] in customs, trade, finance and banking are in place, in accordance with international standards”, he said, adding his Government had also been in “close cooperation” with agencies in the EU, US, United Kingdom and other states exercising control on the enforcement of the sanctions.
The Minister also pointed out Georgia had enjoyed higher tourist numbers and export figures with countries other than Russia since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine in February of last year, noting “it is better to rely on official statistics and draw conclusions from them”.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday rejected the “false” premise in a CNN reporter’s question to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on an alleged export of sanctioned goods to Russia through Georgia.
Ruling Georgian Dream party chair Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said the Georgian territory and its financial institutions would not be used in circumvention of international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
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".
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.
The Georgian representation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Monday supported Tiny Kox in elections for the President of the body, with Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the Georgia’s ruling party, explaining the delegation’s support for the candidate.
Giorgi Amilakhvari, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday criticised CNN and its host Christiane Amanpour for having spread “fake information” last week on alleged exports of sanctioned goods to Russia through Georgia.
The Georgian Maritime Transport Agency on Tuesday rejected the statement of Yury Vladimirov, the General Director of the Sochi seaport, on alleged negotiations regarding the commencement of maritime transportation of passengers between Georgia and Russia, adding there has been no sea transport between the countries.
Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Thursday said Georgian customs authorities had ensured “strict control” on the movement of goods in the list of international sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine “immediately” following their approval.