Day: September 18, 2024

National Bank of Georgia on U.S. sanctions

On September 18, the National Bank of Georgia issued a statement regarding the sanctions imposed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury against four Georgian citizens. The statement clarified that, according to an order by acting Governor Natia Turnava, “sanctions against a Georgian citizen will only be applied if they are based on a conviction by a Georgian court that has come into legal force.”

The National Bank also emphasized that the Georgian financial sector adheres strictly to sanctions regulations and that Georgia has never been, nor will it become, a place for evading sanctions.

The U.S. sanctioned Georgia’s special forces chief, his deputy, and leaders of the pro-Russian Alt-Info movement

Visa restrictions have also been imposed on more than 60 members of the Georgian government and parliament, including their family members

The National Bank revised its regulations in 2023 following the case of former Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze

On September 14, 2023, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Partskhaladze for his cooperation with Russia’s FSB. Initially, the National Bank complied with international law and froze his accounts. However, on September 19, it changed its rules regarding sanctioned individuals.

It was decided that international sanctions cannot be applied to a Georgian citizen without a conviction by a Georgian court. Partskhaladze’s accounts were unfrozen.

The International Monetary Fund expressed “additional concern” over these regulatory changes.

U.S. State Department imposes visa restrictions on 60 more for “undermining Georgia’s democracy”

“The State Department is concerned about human rights violations and anti-democratic actions in Georgia” – Antony Blinken

Commentary:

Giorgi Kakauridze, First Deputy Minister of Finance of Georgia: “Don’t ask me about the legal grounds for the National Bank’s statement. I can only say that Georgian banks will not face obstacles in implementing U.S. Treasury sanctions.

They must ensure compliance with Georgian law. But I also know that all of them are upholding international sanctions. Yesterday, the Banking Association stated that banks will not deviate from their international obligations.”

National Bank of Georgia’s decision on sanctions raises doubts about financial stability – IMF

The program they support in Georgia has not been stopped

Who and why are affected by the new U.S. sanctions

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Zviad Kharaishvili, the head of Georgia’s special forces (known as Kharaba), his deputy Mileri Lagazauri, and leaders of the pro-Russian movement Alt-info, Konstantine Morgoshia and Zurab Makhardze.

Additionally, the U.S. State Department has imposed visa restrictions on over 60 members of the Georgian government and parliament, including their families, for “undermining democracy.”

Both Kharaishvili and Lagazauri have been included on the so-called “Magnitsky List” due to their involvement in violence against opponents of the government’s controversial “foreign agents law.”

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has also announced that all assets and property of these individuals located in the U.S. or under U.S. jurisdiction will be blocked.

This year, Turkiye recorded its hottest summer season since 1970. During this period, the average temperature in the country was at least 2 degrees higher than normal, Azernews reports.

On September 18, the capital city of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, hosted the latest round of consular consultations between the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, Report informs, citing Azerbaijan’s MFA.

Russia tried to stage coup in Armenia, prosecutors allege  POLITICO Europe

Russia tried to stage coup in Armenia, prosecutors allege  POLITICO Europe

Russia tried to stage coup in Armenia, prosecutors allege  POLITICO Europe

The UN General Assembly strongly supported a nonbinding Palestinian resolution Wednesday demanding that Israel end its “unlawful presence” in Gaza and the occupied West Bank within a year, Report informs via AP.

Western intelligence chiefs in Baku

In the past ten days, high-ranking officials from British and American intelligence agencies visited Azerbaijan’s capital. These visits were quiet, attracting little attention. But why have the leaders of Western intelligence services come to Baku?

Azpolitika.az published an article exploring possible reasons behind these visits.

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• “France’s path to Armenia runs through Georgia.” Opinion from Yerevan
• Azerbaijanis detained in Chechnya threatened with deployment to Ukraine

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“Richard Moore, head of the British intelligence service MI6, arrived in Baku on September 14 and delivered a lecture at ADA University. This became known from a publication by the university’s rectorate on social media.

Interestingly, neither the official Baku authorities nor the British Embassy in Azerbaijan have released any official information regarding this visit.

According to the Turan news agency, the purpose of Richard Moore’s visit was clearly not just to give a university lecture:

‘It is highly likely that he will hold talks with the country’s leadership on international and regional issues. It’s no surprise that he may have delivered certain messages from influential circles and governments in the West. The discussions probably involve relations with Russia and Iran, as well as the war in Ukraine.’

The unexpected visit of MI6’s chief to Baku occurred just a week after his meeting with the head of the U.S. CIA, William Burns, in London. Around the same time, Financial Times published an article signed by Moore and Burns about the threats to the international order. In that article, the heads of the UK’s Foreign Intelligence Service and the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency stated: ‘The world order is facing a threat not seen since the Cold War.’

According to both intelligence chiefs, London and Washington are actively collaborating to create a united front ‘to counter Russia’s aggressive actions and Putin’s war in Ukraine.’

It’s also worth noting that R. Moore previously served as the British Ambassador to Turkey and as Deputy National Security Adviser to the UK Cabinet.

Notably, on September 10, Patrick Pryor, head of the European-Eurasian regional center of the U.S. Department of Defense’s intelligence unit, visited Azerbaijan and met with presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev. However, Pryor did not visit Yerevan.

What could be the primary objective behind these consecutive visits of high-ranking intelligence officials from two leading Western nations to Baku?”

Elkhan Shahinoglu, head of the Atlas Research Center, believes that the purpose of the two recent visits by Western intelligence officials to Baku was to discuss specific details of cooperation between the U.S., the UK, and Azerbaijan:

“It’s clear that intelligence leaders wouldn’t be discussing economic or political issues. There are appropriate officials and diplomats for that. They visit Azerbaijan to talk about political and economic cooperation. That’s a separate matter.

But when a high-ranking American intelligence official or the head of British intelligence comes to Baku, it means there are particular details that need to be discussed with Azerbaijan.

I think the main issue involves Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus, which needs to be addressed by the intelligence agencies of these two major powers. The U.S. and the UK are concerned about Russia’s capabilities in the region.

After Russian president Vladimir Putin’s visit to Azerbaijan in August, Russia’s efforts to control the Zangezur Corridor have intensified. Clearly, these initiatives don’t serve the interests of either Azerbaijan or Armenia, nor do they align with those of the U.S. and the UK. The Zangezur Corridor is a key part of the Middle Corridor, and neither the U.S. nor the UK wants transport routes from China to be controlled by Russia. If Russian forces take control of the Zangezur Corridor, it would mean Russia would have control over the Middle Corridor.

This doesn’t suit the interests of many countries. I believe this could be one of the main topics being discussed.”

Baku to host COP29. Is the city ready for it? Commentary

COP29 will be held in Azerbaijan. What is this conference and why is it so important?

Secondly, there is a need to discuss issues related to the COP29 event. In November, Baku will host a major international event with the participation of world leaders, and it is expected that around 80,000 foreign guests will attend conferences and seminars in Baku over the course of two weeks. In this context, it is possible that the U.S. and the UK wanted to share specific intelligence information with Azerbaijan.

Following the devastating impact of typhoon Yagi in Vietnam, the European Union (EU) has released €650,000 in humanitarian aid. This funding will help address the most pressing needs, such as food, water, sanitation, and healthcare.

Türkiye’s Albayrak Group has expressed its intention to increase the capacity of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) through the Baku and Trabzon seaports, Cumhur Guzelciftci, the director of Business Development at Albayrak