PM: Gov’t not imposing sanctions on Russia but “ensuring” Georgia not being used to circumvent them
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said his Government was not imposing sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine but ensuring the international restrictions placed on the country were not circumvented through the Georgian territory. Photo: PM's press office
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said his Government was not imposing sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine but ensuring the international restrictions placed on the country were not circumvented through the Georgian territory.
The PM made the remark in response to a question at a press briefing earlier today that claimed contracts with sanctioned companies were being “constantly signed” by Georgian Railway.
In his reply, Kobakhidze said his office had a “clear policy” regarding the international sanctions.
A mission representing the European Union, Great Britain and the United States arrived in Georgia and confirmed that the territory of Georgia is not used to circumvent sanctions. Everything else is a lie”, he said in reference to the visit of sanctions officials in June 2023.
Kobakhidze also said cooperation with companies sanctioned as part of the restrictions was “not allowed” as part of the Government’s policy.
The Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance on Thursday said “no specific facts” had been presented by senators Ron Johnson and Richard Blumenthal to the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to confirm claims of violations of international sanctions imposed on Russia through Georgian territory.
Georgian Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili on Friday said “many cases” of “disinformation” and “fake news” on enforcement in Georgia of the international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine had been observed over the past year.
The 2023 Investment Climate Statements of the United States Department of State on Thursday said the National Bank of Georgia and financial institutions of the country were acting “fully” in accordance with the international financial sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Sanctions officials from the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, who were on a visit to Georgia this week, on Wednesday highlighted they had been “convinced” that the country’s Government was “seriously” determined not to allow the circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said the ruling party’s legislative initiative to “protect the public from pseudo-liberal ideology” should be developed in accordance with the constitutional principles of human rights.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday told a conference organised by the Georgian Business Association the country had “strong institutions” that were able to “protect national interests unwaveringly and firmly”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said the ruling Georgian Dream party had “unwavering support of the population”, while domestic opposition, “especially its radical part”, was “doomed for failure” in the parliamentary elections scheduled for October.
Lasha Khutsishvili, the Georgian Finance Minister, on Wednesday accused the Georgian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty of aiming to “damage the country’s image” with a report that claimed Georgia had “once again” appeared on a list of countries that Russia could use to purchase dual-use products on the list of sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party in the Parliament, on Wednesday said a report by the Georgian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on possible violations through Georgia of the international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine was “fake”.