Georgia concerned over UK embassy’s reference to sanctioned vessel

Georgia has raised concerns over recent remarks by the British Embassy regarding a sanctioned vessel as UK Ambassador to Georgia Gareth Ward was invited to a meeting with Georgia’s First Deputy Foreign Minister George Zurabashvili to discuss issues related to international sanctions compliance and bilateral cooperation.

A statement by the Georgian Foreign Ministry said that the talks focused on the implementation of international sanctions regimes and Georgia’s cooperation with international partners in this area.

“It was noted that, given the absence of a single recorded case of Georgia violating international sanctions, and considering that the Georgian authorities cooperate openly and fully with international partners, the continued speculation on this issue is perplexing,” the ministry said.

Particular attention was devoted to a recent statement by the British Embassy referring to sanctions imposed on the vessel SILVAR (IMO 9291262). Zurabashvili argued that mentioning Georgia in the embassy’s statement was inappropriate, noting that no international sanctions had been in force against the vessel at the time it entered and operated in Georgian waters.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that the vessel held a valid classification certificate issued by Lloyd’s Register, operated on international routes, and had previously called at ports in several countries, including Malta, Denmark, Egypt, Malaysia, India, and China. The ministry also noted that shortly before arriving in Georgia, the vessel underwent a port state control inspection in Denmark and was not detained.

Zurabashvili said that such wording and “manipulative actions cast a shadow” over bilateral relations, while underscoring the importance of maintaining a constructive dialogue between Georgia and the United Kingdom.

By Vafa Guliyeva