2022-05-28
Let me greet you Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of Parliament.
It is my great honor to address you all. Once again, let me congratulate you on the Day of Independence of Georgia!
I wish to thank the representatives of the opposition parties, who approached me with a question. As mentioned already, the question referred to the current developments in Ukraine, hostilities and related sanctions. Question was worded as follows - Which legal and administrative measures are taken by the Government of Georgia to make sure that sanctions are not breached by the Russian Federation and its representatives through physical or legal entities incorporated in Georgia or other economic subjects on the territory of the country? Thank you for this question.
First of all, I wish to remind our society, our opposition, once again very briefly about the measures jointly taken by the Government and Parliament of Georgia.
Before giving a detailed answer to this question, I wish to once again briefly and clearly formulate our position.
First of all, of course, we strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders.
Wide-scale military aggression of Russia against Ukraine is, of course, a grave violation of fundamental norms and principles of international law, as well as the UN Charter thus creating an unprecedented challenge to the European security architecture.
In these circumstances, Georgia has been demonstrating full solidarity towards Ukraine and people of Ukraine from the very first day since the launch of the war. It is manifested in the applicable political and diplomatic steps, bilateral or multilateral formats. It cannot be otherwise, of course, as we have a historic friendship with Ukraine and our countries have common European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
Senior representatives of our authorities highlighted the condemnation of the military aggression implemented by Russia against the sovereign Ukraine in our numerous public statements.
Parliament of Georgia was among the first ones to adopt a resolution on the possible military escalation in Ukraine and condemned any and all intentions targeted against the sovereign state.
Once again, I remind our opposition that Delegation of the Parliament of Georgia led by its Chairman - MP Shalva Papuashvili visited Ukraine on April 6 and saw the war-affected cities of Bucha and Irpen together with the Chairman of Supreme Rada.
Diplomatic missions of our country within international organizations have been constantly expressing support towards Ukraine especially against the background of recent developments.
Herewith, I wish to remind you which specific steps have been made. Georgia was among 96 countries of the United Nations (UN) to co-sponsor the Resolution on Aggression Against Ukraine. Georgia was one of the main co-sponsors of the Resolution issued by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Humanitarian Consequences Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine. Resolution was co-sponsored by 90 nations, while supported by 140.
Georgia supported the enactment of a Moscow Mechanism issued by the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Also, Georgia is a co-sponsor of a Resolution issued by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which makes Russia liable for the military aggression against Ukraine.
Also, let me remind you that Georgia supported the Decision made by the Committee of Ministers of the European Council on February 25, i.e. on the second day of the war leading to the suspension of the representation rights of the Russian Federation within the Committee of Ministers and Parliamentary Assembly.
Our authorities supported the Decision made by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on March 17 on the immediate expulsion of the Russian Federation from the Council of Europe.
Our country is among the nations that appealed to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the investigation of crimes committed by Russia on the territory of Ukraine.
Also, we are the authority that acted as a key co-sponsor of a Draft Resolution of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on the suspension of membership to the Russian Federation within the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Overall, since February we supported 235 statements, declarations and decisions issued by international organizations about Ukraine. More specifically, I wish to say the following:
Georgia supported and sponsored 14 Resolutions within the United Nations (UN) about Ukraine, made over 50 National Statements; Also joined 34 Statements of the EU and 10 other ones within the UN. Also, Georgia joined 15 various supportive initiatives within the organization.
Within the OSCE we made over 30 National Statements. Our authorities joined 34 Statements of the EU and 1 Joint Statement. Also, within the organization, Georgia joined 3 various supportive initiatives.
Within the scope of the Council of Europe, Georgia supported 14 Resolutions, Decisions and Recommendations about Ukraine. At the same time, Georgia made 15 Supportive National Statements.
Also, we joined 8 Declarations of the EU High Commissioner and 2 Sanctions of the EU.
Diplomatic missions of Georgia in Kyiv, Odessa and Lviv continue to operate and support our citizens.
Also, I wish to express gratitude to our Ambassador and each employee of our embassy from this rostrum.
Representatives of the financial sector of Georgia received instructions from the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) on the obligation to adhere to the requirements envisaged by sanctions.
Since the launch of the war, our government has been providing significant humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and we truly stand out towards this end among the countries of the world. Our government has already allocated 7 MLN GEL in support of the Ukrainian people, including those staying in Georgia, out of which 1 MLN GEL was allocated from the Reserve Fund of the Government of Georgia.
Country continues to support almost 28 000 war-affected Ukrainians currently staying in Georgia. This process of support towards Ukraine continues and we assume to allocate over 7 MLN USD by the end of the year towards this end.
As of today, Georgia has sent almost 1000 tons of humanitarian cargo to Ukraine via air and land transport. According to the information released by the State Post of Ukraine, my friends, Georgia ranks 1st among 191 countries of the world by the volume of humanitarian assistance provided to Ukraine.
Several hotlines are operated for Ukrainian friends and citizens. We provide accommodation, food, clothes and all essential items to Ukrainian citizens staying in Georgia.
Also, let me remind you that in line with a decision made by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, the Ukrainian sector is operated at Public School of Tbilisi N41. Also, a school has been launched in Batumi admitting over 900 pupils in total.
Municipal transport, entry to museums, galleries and other venues is free of charge for citizens of Ukraine staying in Georgia.
Apart from the Government, let me note that the private sector and general public is also mobilized in support of the Ukrainian people, and I wish to thank everyone for such unprecedented solidarity.
Official position of our country towards the restrictive measures imposed against Russia are in full compliance with the position demonstrated by the international community.
Since 2014 Georgia has joined the restrictive measures of the EU in relation to Crimea and Sevastopol.
On February 28 of this year, Georgia joined the restrictive measures of the EU in relation to Donetsk and Luhansk.
A number of countries have positions similar to that of Georgia in relation to sanctions.
Letter I sent to you gives a detailed description of every measure taken by our government . I also wish to say that in general I stated at numerous occasions in reference to sanctions that the position of our government originates from our national interests of course. Our main goal should be the protection interests borne by our citizens first of all and our sovereign interests at large.
I wish to say that irrespective of the fact that at the national level of Georgia we have not imposed our own economic sanctions against Russia and we will not be even doing it by considering our national interests, of course, we have stated at numerous occasions and wish to once again state from this rostrum that we will not let the unlawful operation of any sanctioned individual or company on the territory of Georgia. We will not let any sanctioned company or individual - physical entity - to use Georgia bypassing the sanctions. No fact has been found so far, irrespective of the fact that we hear a number of absolutely groundless accusations and slander from the opposition and unfortunately from the Government of Ukraine as well.
In general, I wish to tell you that our legislation is in full compliance with international law and regulations, e.g. UN Committee of Sanctions and UN Security Council resolutions. Our legislation on money laundering, promotion and financing of terrorism, control of military and dual designation items and alike ensure the non-avoidance of sanctions.
In addition, we have close coordination with our strategic partners. We have constant, daily exchange of information. I wish to repeat again that our authorities will not let the unlawful operation of any sanctioned company or individual of any country in Georgia, of course.
National Bank of Georgia (NBG) and financial institutions of the country operate in full compliance with financial policies established by the United States of America (USA), European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK).
In general, one of the main challenges faced by the financial sector was a case of VTB Bank in the prism of its branch in Georgia, which was managed in a highly professional manner as NBG and Government did everything possible to evade our citizens of any problems.
You may well be aware that this bank was sanctioned and we acted immediately, doing our best to leave no question unanswered for any of our partners.
I also wish to say that the Ministry of Finance of Georgia is implementing the customs control and supervision in full compliance with regulations of the European Parliament and Council - European standards at large.
Commodities are imported and exported through 20 customs check-points located at sovereign borders of Georgia. Over 1000 customs officers are controlling the flow of cargo.
It is worth noting that the number of staff has been increased at Kazbegi Customs Check-Point to strengthen the customs control of cargo moving through the Russian-Georgian border. X-Ray Scanners have been installed as well and full control is enforced on site.
Also, let me tell you that the Special Task Force has developed new risk profiles to manage the risk factors at customs for military, dual designation and all other goods that are captured in the list of sanctions.
Any type of goods, military or of dual designation, as well as all other products included in the list of sanctions by countries participating in the enforcement are subject to tight control at customs.
Special control is enforced on the re-export of goods produced and manufactured in the EU, USA, UK and other countries participating in the sanctioning or goods bearing the certificate of origin from such countries to Russia or other countries and vise versa to ensure the maximum prevention of Georgia being used as a means of avoidance. Export of sanctioned goods imported to Georgia is also tightly controlled to make sure that Russian or other sanctioned goods do not end up in enforcing countries or vice versa.
Marine Transport Agency cooperates with the border police subordinated to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and actively works on the control of the legal regime of the marine space, threat prevention, identification and response, as well as effective cooperation, interaction and exchange of information with responsible competent agencies.
Procedures regulating the State Agency of Oil and Gas enable for the maxim indemnification of risks related to sanctions and sanctioned products.
Also, let me tell you that the Civil Aviation Agency ensures the compliance with the requirements promulgated in the legislation, including current restrictions and prohibitions by supervising the adherence of air carriers and other companies operating in the field of aviation to the referred requirements within their competence.
The Ministry of Defense of Georgia carries out control of dual designation goods and their circulation and implements respective measures within its competence to facilitate regional and international security as well as interests of national security.
This information, as I have just reminded you, was of course accessible to everyone. Members of my government, Members of Parliament and the entire authority have been talking, explaining and providing detailed information about it for two months for the attention of the general public. However, one thing is that a person does not want to understand or accept what the authorities are doing. After this speech, if a person is not intentionally disposed to a conflict, groundless accusation or slander, I simply end up having a question - what else needed to be done by the government after all that we did?! Complaints are heard that the Government of Georgia and authority at large allegedly does not help Ukraine. Instead, let me remind you all my dear friends that Georgia ranks 1st among 191 countries of the world that sent the largest humanitarian cargo to Ukraine to help our Ukrainian friends and people. I have listed all 235 resolutions, text and statements that we joined. Herewith, I wish to highlight that our position has not changed, of course, and you all know pretty well, while your interpretation and motifs are clear. I said in my speech that we supported all resolutions about Ukraine at the political level, within every international format. However, I hereby explain and once again note that Georgia did not enforce the national economic sanctions on Russia for the only very right reason. It is conditioned by our national interests. I did say it in my very first speech, noting that we will not do anything to contradict our national interests. When you demand and call for enforcing economic and financial sanctions towards Russia, let me ask you - do you have a slightest idea about one million citizens of Georgia currently living in Russia, we have trade and economic relations, our country is temporarily occupied and Russian troops are stationed on the territory of our country. Against this background, you are especially well aware that imposition of sanctions at the national level, enforcement of national economic sanctions towards the Russian Federation would translate into sanctions being imposed on our own citizens there and into sanctioning our country. Thus, irrespective of our solidarity towards Ukraine, our partners, we said that we would be guided with our national interests only and nobody will ever make us change our decision as you may know, but let me still remind you that most difficult situation is challenging the world today: global economic recession is expected, inflation in some countries exceeded 20% and reached 27% in Moldova for instance. I say nothing about economic growth and in the given circumstances we maintain one of the highest economic growth indicators.
In Q1 of 2022 our economic growth reached 14,4%, our currency continues to appreciate, tourism is advancing along with exports and we have progress in every direction.
I wish to ask you - how do you imagine, had we acted silly two months ago by doing what you were suggesting and had we imposed economic sanctions of national level towards Russia, what would have happened today? Do you have any idea or answer to this question for our citizens?!
We understand your motifs very well, however let me say one thing - our main goal, irrespective of differences, should be the best interests of our country and we - sadly - do now see this attitude in you, but notice an opposite mindset.
I will have an opportunity to speak in detail about what you were demanding from us. For instance, I spoke about imposing sanctions. Now I wish to explain to our citizens what you were asking by chartering flights that were supposed to fly the so-called volunteers of the United National Movement (UNM). You wanted it to be televised via live broadcast and so on. Ladies and gentlemen, permission on chartering flights are issued by the Government of Georgia in this country. When no country around the globe - let me stress that none of them - did anything of this sort, but on the contrary, the US Government or those of the UK, France and absolutely everyone publicly urged their citizens towards the opposite to stay away from individual engagement in the military activities. Meanwhile, these people were asking us to authorize charter flights for volunteers. It would have meant that our country was directly getting engaged in military activities, conflict and this was done by people who know very well that our country is still occupied. It is subversive, my dear friends. It is a betrayal of the national interests of our country. I will say the rest later.
Thank you!
Press Service of the Government Administration