Georgian Prime Minister dismissed claims that said members of the ruling party had been notified about imposition of visa restrictions on them following the party’s approval of the Law on Transparency, calling the reports “falsehood” and adding discussing the possible sanctions was “not a serious matter” for the Government.

“Talking about sanctions is not serious for us, if someone talks, it is counterproductive for those who talk about it.

Whoever makes the relevant statement is not serious and it is counterproductive. As for the e-mail, it is a lie. When the topic is not serious, we cannot do deep into such a topic”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.

He also responded to questions from the media about visa restrictions announced by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month against “those responsible for undermining democracy” in Georgia. Blinken’s comment was followed by Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, saying the US Government had not yet announced individual sanctions against officials of the executive and legislative branches of the Georgian Government.

“When specific entities make anti-Georgian statements and take anti-Georgian steps, such as imposing sanctions on Georgian judges without evidence [last year], it is our obligation to respond. These actions should not be perceived as anti-European or anti-American. When anti-Georgian steps are taken and anti-Georgian statements are made, it is simply our duty to react to it and nothing more”, - said the Prime Minister in his response.