'Exports to Georgia have almost doubled, we are sure that some of them go to Russia' Czech Ambassador Petr Mikyska says, Irakli Kobakhidze responds
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, December 2, 2022
On November 30, at an event organized by the non-governmental organization 'Free Russia' and the Embassy of Lithuania, the opposition politician Gigi Ugulava asked if "in the light of the fact that the Georgian government has betrayed its partners [by refusing to join the sanctions or taking into account other issues], whether the population of Georgia should expect any type of rejection Regarding the results." Ambassador Petr Mikyska stated:
"Since the beginning of this year, the export of Czech products [from the Czech Republic] to Georgia has increased by 80%, compared to last year. almost doubled. Last year, despite the impact of the pandemic, we already had a record number," he said, adding that "we are quite sure that part of exported products is going to Russia."
However, the idea that the increased amount of the product goes north is still unconfirmed and, according to Ambassador Mikyska, there is not enough statistical data to confirm it.
As Netgazeti wrote, the Czech ambassador said at the meeting that "this will be one of the criteria when we evaluate Georgia's readiness for candidate status, not just 12 recommendations."
Chairman of the Georgian Dream, Irakli Kobakhidze, responded to the mentioned statement of the Czech ambassador, Petr Mikiska. He said that if "the ambassador really said such a thing," it would be followed by a diplomatic response.
"I don't know, it's the first time I hear this statement, but if this statement was made, it's really unbelievable. We've heard such statements from the Ukrainian authorities in the past, and then when we responded they had to deny it themselves. If this statement was made, we're going to respond. We will have the same reaction if this statement was made. Diplomatic, of course, what more should we do, a diplomatic response to the ambassador," said Kobakhidze.
