Georgia abstains from direct sanctions against Russia due to national interests - PM

TBILISI. May 27 (Interfax) - Georgia complies with the sanctions against Russia, as prescribed by the international community, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said.

"We have not imposed economic sanctions on Russia and we will not do so due to our national interests. However, we will not allow the illegal activity of companies or individuals under [Western sanctions] that might try to use Georgia as a way to circumvent the sanctions," Garibashvili said at the parliament on Friday.

Not a single case of Georgia's violations of the sanctions has been recorded, although the radical domestic opposition and the Ukrainian authorities claim otherwise, he said.

"The National Bank and the Finance Ministry of Georgia strictly comply with the financial policy of the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, which rules out a breach of the sanctions. Please note that cargo is moved across the Georgian territory through 20 customs posts operated by more than 1,000 customs officers," Garibashvili said.

"All goods, including military and dual-use products under sanctions, undergo close control. The same applies to goods sent from Russia to third countries through Georgia," he said.