The Georgian Foreign Ministry has expressed regret over the decision to include the Kulevi oil refinery in the European Union’s 21st sanctions package, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement notes that Georgia fully takes into account the sanctions regime imposed by the European Union and its context, and is taking all measures to ensure that Georgian territory is not used to circumvent sanctions.

“Cooperation with the European Union in this regard is based on the principles of transparency and openness.

“Within the framework of this cooperation, the relevant Georgian agencies constantly ensure the timely provision of all necessary information and explanations to EU institutions.

“The effective work of Georgian state institutions is also confirmed by the fact that, to date, not a single case of sanctions circumvention by the European Union has been recorded on the territory of Georgia.

“During the preparation of the EU’s 21st sanctions package, the Georgian side submitted comprehensive information and relevant documentation to the European Commission, unequivocally confirming that there are no factual or legal grounds for including the Kulevi oil refinery on the sanctions list.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia hopes that the relevant services of the European Commission and the EU member states will be guided by the principle of fairness during the six-month period stipulated by the decision and will reconsider it.

“Georgia remains ready to cooperate with EU institutions and share all necessary information with them,” the Foreign Ministry said.