The Revenue Service issued a statement in relation to the information spread in the media about the circumvention of international sanctions.

According to the agency, the information spread about the export of goods imported from the Czech Republic to the Russian Federation is not true and represents false information.

As explained by the Revenue Service, Georgia takes into account the restrictions imposed on trade with Russia and Belarus by the USA, Great Britain, the European Union and other countries participating in the process of imposing economic sanctions.

"The Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia categorically and fully responsibly declares, in the interests of the state and the public, that the statement published in the media about the export of goods imported from the Czech Republic to the Russian Federation in order to circumvent international sanctions - is not true and represents false information.

The import of goods in Georgia from the European Union countries, including the Czech Republic, has actually increased, which is welcome, especially after the reduction of economic activity and the implementation of restrictions caused by the impact of the pandemic on the world.

A large part of the increase in the import of goods from the Czech Republic to Georgia comes from machines and equipment, turbines, electrical equipment, oils and accumulators imported by Baku-Ceyhan pipeline service companies, companies working in the field of electric power, including JSC "Energo-Pro Georgia" and JSC EP "Georgia Generation" importing equipment, transformers, electrical wires, accumulators and metal constructions, as well as mobile phones, computers and other consumer goods imported by other companies, which are intended for local consumption and not for re-export to other countries.

In addition, we would like to note that Georgia takes into account the restrictions imposed by the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the European Union and other countries participating in the process of imposing economic sanctions on the trade of specified goods with the Russian Federation and Belarus. All products included in the list defined by the countries participating in the sanctions, as well as any customs operations (including transit, export and re-export), which may be carried out by sanctioned individuals or companies, are subject to special customs control. Therefore, during the validity period of the named sanctions, there are hundreds of cases of refusal to move goods produced in the European Union (including the Czech Republic) to Russia, as well as from the Russian Federation to the Czech Republic and other EU countries.

Statistical data of Georgia's foreign trade (including imports) with any country is public information and is available to any interested person, as well as to all our partners.

Against this background, it is surprising and incomprehensible that the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Czech Republic in Georgia spread unverified, false information assertively and cast doubt on Georgia as a reliable partner country without any evidence or justification.

It should be noted that the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance held a number of meetings with the embassies of the EU member states on this topic, in which the Czech embassy was also represented at a high level, where the measures taken by the Georgian customs service in the process of enforcing sanctions were highly appreciated. It is important that the diplomats had the opportunity to learn in detail the cargo control procedures at the customs checkpoints.

As soon as the international sanctions were imposed, the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia has been in constant coordination with the partner countries and information exchange is taking place in an operational mode. The Revenue Service, within the scope of its competence, continues to implement relevant measures and strict control in order to prevent as much as possible the attempt to use the customs territory of Georgia to evade the sanctions.

Once again, our call is for everyone to refrain from spreading unverified and false information. Any information related to the enforcement of sanctions should be checked with the relevant agency responsible for the enforcement of sanctions - the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia, which unfortunately did not happen on the part of the embassy and ambassador of the Czech Republic," the statement reads.