Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia releases the statement.

“Considering the high sovereign and public interests, Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia is hereby stating categorically and with full responsibility that news spread in mass media on the commodity exports from the Czech Republic to the Russian Federation bypassing the international sanctions is far from being true as it is false information.

Commodity import to Georgia from EU nations, including the Czech Republic has been increased indeed, which is a gratifying fact, especially after the declining economic performance and restrictions caused globally by the pandemic.

Increased indicators of commodity imports from the Czech Republic is mainly composed of vehicles and equipment, turbines, electronic appliances, lubricants and batteries, imported by companies servicing the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, including the Energy-Pro Georgia JSC and Georgia Generation JSC, along with metal constructions and mobile phones, computers and other items of primary use imported by other companies as well and they are intended for domestic consumption, rather than for re-export to other countries.

In addition, we wish to note that Georgia has been resolutely adhering to the restrictions on trade of goods imposed by the USA, UK, EU and other countries engaged in the economic sanctions towards Russian Federation and Belarus. All commodities listed in the sanctions by countries participating in the initiative as well as any customs transaction (including the transit, export and re-export), which may be carried out by banned individuals or corporations, are subject to special customs control. Thus, in the period of referred sanctions, goods manufactured in the EU (including those in the Czech Republic) if transported towards Russia or from the Russian Federation towards Czech Republic or other countries of the EU have been rejected and hundreds of cases evidence this fact.

Statistical data on foreign trade (including import) of Georgia with any country is publicly disclosed and is readily accessible to any interested individual, as well as to every partner of the country.

Against this background, it is bewildering and bizarre to see the false and unrounded information spread in an assertive manner by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Georgia without any evidence or validation, thereby doubting the credible performance of a reliable partner that Georgia is.

It is worth noting that the Revenue Service of Georgia has held a series of meetings with embassies of EU member states for sharing ideas and experience on the referred topic and the embassy of the Czech Republic was represented at such meetings. Efforts made by the Customs Service of Georgia in the enforcement of sanctions was highly commanded and detailed information was shared on the current clearance and control procedures at nation-wide customs check-points of Georgia.

From the very first days of international sanctions, the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia has been in constant coordination with partner countries by exchanging information in a most efficient manner. Within its scope of competence, Revenue Service of Georgia continues to carry out relevant measures and tighter control to prevent and avoid the use of Georgian customs space for bypassing the international sanctions.

Once again, we urge everyone to stay away from spreading the unverified and false information on the enforcement of sanctions. Any information should be double-checked with the agency responsible for the enforcement of sanctions – Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia. Sadly, it did not happen in the case of the Embassy and Ambassador of the Czech Republic”, - reads the statement.