Georgian PM: Government strictly complies with sanctions regime, monitoring missions confirm no violations

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday said his government was strictly adhering to the international sanctions regime, dismissing allegations of sanctions evasion as “pure speculation”.

Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze said that multiple monitoring missions had visited Georgia in response to widespread speculation, including delegations from the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom, with all of them confirming that claims regarding sanctions circumvention were unfounded.

“Our government complies with the sanctions regime very strictly. There were many speculations, and then various monitoring missions visited our country, including American, European, and British missions, and all of them confirmed that all statements about sanctions evasion were completely speculative”, the PM said.

He further emphasised that the same applies to the port of Kulevi, adding that Georgia has shared relevant information with European institutions.

“In reality, everything is clear. We shared the appropriate information with European structures, which confirms that no such incident has taken place. We have sent full information to European institutions on this matter”, he continued.

Kobakhidze also criticised imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili, accusing him of acting against the country’s interests.

“Against this backdrop, when a person, a former president - regardless of who he is - formally still holds that status, and demands something that is obviously harmful for the country, it reflects that person’s mindset”, Kobakhidze said.

He added that the former president had caused “severe damage” to Georgia during his nine years in power and in the years that followed while in opposition.

“This is what he is, and once again he has shown his true face”, the prime minister concluded.