EU Ambassador, GD Deputy Foreign Minister Discuss Grants Law, Sanctions

2026-02-12 - 17:07

European Union Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczyński met with Georgian Dream’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgi Zurabashvili on February 12 to discuss the EU’s concerns over the latest amendments to Georgia’s Law on Grants, which were passed in the first reading. The meeting also touched upon the bloc’s upcoming 20th sanctions package against Russia, which may include Kulevi port in Georgia. According to the EU Delegation to Georgia, the purpose of the meeting was “to convey the European Union’s serious concerns regarding the recently tabled package of amendments to the Law on Grants and related legislative acts. As adopted in first reading, the proposed amendments would represent another significant threat to civic space and political participation in Georgia.” The disputed parliament passed the amendments to the Law on Grants in the first reading on February 3, which broadens the definition of “grant”, requiring government approval, and if enacted, will impose criminal liability and jail terms for violations. Ambassador Herczyński underlined that “such measures are incompatible with Georgia’s commitments under the EU–Georgia Association Agreement and run counter to the commitments sovereignly taken by Georgia as a candidate country for EU membership.” He also warned that if adopted, “the amendments could directly and adversely affect the work of diplomatic missions operating in Georgia, in contradiction with the provisions and principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.” “The Georgian side also raised the issue of EU sanctions,” the press release said, adding that Ambassador Herczyński informed the Georgian side that the European Commission’s proposed 20th package of sanctions against Russia is currently under discussion among EU Member States. “Both sides agreed to remain in contact on upcoming developments,” the statement concluded. The meeting comes amid media reports suggesting that the Kulevi port on Georgia’s Black Sea coast may be included in the European Union’s upcoming 20th sanctions package against Russia. The Kulevi port has recently come under scrutiny over a possible role in facilitating Russian oil exports. Foreign Ministry’s Statement Shortly after the EU delegation’s statement, Georgia’s Foreign Ministry also reported on the meeting. According to the Ministry’s statement, the talks presented “Georgia’s position regarding the country’s efforts to uphold the restrictive measures imposed by the European Union against Russia and to prevent and combat cases of sanctions circumvention.” Deputy Minister Zurabashvili provided the Ambassador with “comprehensive information” on steps taken by the Georgian Dream government and state agencies, according to the MFA. These include “monitoring the movement of cargo and vessels in Georgian territory, identifying sanctioned entities, exposing international activities related to the so-called ‘shadow fleet,’ and implementing restrictive measures imposed by international financial institutions,” the statement said. The MFA said that Zurabashvili also addressed the possible inclusion of the Kulevi port in the EU sanction list, describing it as “completely incomprehensible” and “unfounded,” lacking any “factual basis.” He reportedly stated that “no case of receiving sanctioned vessels and/or sanctions circumvention has been recorded at Kulevi port.” According to the statement, the deputy minister added that no questions have been received from EU institutions regarding the functioning of Kulevi port and, in this context, underlined “the good cooperation practices between Georgia and the EU on restrictive measures, which is evidenced by positive assessments from the EU Sanctions Envoy, David O’Sullivan.” The Georgian side expressed hope that EU institutions and member state will take into account “the large-scale actions” taken by Georgia to prevent and combat cases of sanctions circumvention, and will not “harm the strategic Caspian – Black Sea – Europe corridor and the EU’s ‘Middle Corridor’ initiative through the imposition of any type of restrictions, of which Kulevi port is an integral part,” the MFA said. Also Read: 28/01/2026 – GD Announces New Restrictions on Receiving Grants, Party Membership, ‘External Lobbying’ 19/12/2025 – UK Calls on Georgia to Curb Russian Oil Imports Amid Wider Sanctions