International trade networks are refraining from concluding long-term contracts with Georgian exporters, fearing sanctions from Western countries, Gvantsa Meladze, a member of the supervisory board of the Georgian Export Development Association, told bpn.ge. “The Export Development Association actively cooperates with the Baltic countries, so much of our information comes from there. Because we have a franchise office of a Latvian export consulting company there. It is from there that such feedback comes from that there is a demand for Georgian products and this direction in general stops," she said.
According to her, this situation is due to the fact that “international trading networks do not want to have trouble until everything is cleared up, they do not want the Belarusian scenario to develop with us (Georgia - IF) and then have to cancel some contacts” . “We see that the conclusion of new partnership, long-term agreements has not actually taken place for probably 3-4 months,” added Meladze.
In May and June 2024, the United States introduced personal sanctions against a number of government members and deputies of the ruling Georgian Dream party due to the adoption by the country's parliament of the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, which was sharply criticized by the opposition and Western countries, calling it pro-Russian. The European Union also announced the possibility of introducing sanctions against Georgia; EU officials emphasized that de facto the process of Georgia’s accession to the EU has been suspended. On October 26, parliamentary elections will be held in Georgia, with the results of which Western countries associate prospects for cooperation: if the Georgian Party wins dream”, which is currently forming the government, and maintaining the existing political course, the EU and the US may impose large-scale sanctions against Georgia.
In relation to Belarus in the period 2020-2022, the EU and the United States imposed tough economic sanctions, effectively stopping political dialogue, foreign trade and cooperation in the field of logistics.
According to her, this situation is due to the fact that “international trading networks do not want to have trouble until everything is cleared up, they do not want the Belarusian scenario to develop with us (Georgia - IF) and then have to cancel some contacts” . “We see that the conclusion of new partnership, long-term agreements has not actually taken place for probably 3-4 months,” added Meladze.
In May and June 2024, the United States introduced personal sanctions against a number of government members and deputies of the ruling Georgian Dream party due to the adoption by the country's parliament of the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, which was sharply criticized by the opposition and Western countries, calling it pro-Russian. The European Union also announced the possibility of introducing sanctions against Georgia; EU officials emphasized that de facto the process of Georgia’s accession to the EU has been suspended. On October 26, parliamentary elections will be held in Georgia, with the results of which Western countries associate prospects for cooperation: if the Georgian Party wins dream”, which is currently forming the government, and maintaining the existing political course, the EU and the US may impose large-scale sanctions against Georgia.
In relation to Belarus in the period 2020-2022, the EU and the United States imposed tough economic sanctions, effectively stopping political dialogue, foreign trade and cooperation in the field of logistics.
