Parliament Chairman of Georgia Affirms Compliance with Imposed Sanctions
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, May 18, 2023
The Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili responded to the statement made by Vedant Patel, the Deputy Spokesperson of the United States State Department, in which Patel expressed concern about direct flights with Russia. According to Papuashvili, none of the imposed sanctions have been violated thus far.
Papuashvili expressed his disappointment with the ambiguity surrounding certain statements and highlighted that the Georgian government, with a mandate from its citizens, is responsible for considering the issue from a national perspective. He further stressed the government's commitment to implementing international sanctions and mentioned that no complaints have been received regarding their enforcement. He urged for clear statements affirming the absence of sanctions violations and reiterated that the government of Georgia prioritizes national interests in addressing other matters.
"We have heard various assessments, and it is unfortunate to witness the ambiguity present in such statements. However, one thing remains clear: until now, no one, including foreign sources, has claimed any violations of the imposed sanctions. This fact emphasizes that none of the sanctions have been breached. When it comes to considering the issue from a different perspective, it is the Georgian government that holds the authority, having received a mandate from its citizens to make state decisions.
Regarding the decision on the international level, it is our responsibility to ensure the implementation of the sanctions. We have not received any complaints regarding their enforcement. Therefore, it is crucial to clearly state that no sanctions are being violated instead of making vague statements. As for other matters, the government of Georgia addresses them based on the national interests of the country," Papuashvili stated.
The chairman of the Parliament of Georgia has called on the European Union to make a fair and conscientious decision and allow Georgia to move to the next stage, as the country has fulfilled its obligations. He emphasized that Georgia should be at the same level as Ukraine and Moldova and that justice demands it.
