Georgia’s Cutting Trade With Iran “Politically-Motivated”
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – A member of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce says Georgia’s decision to close its borders to Iranian trucks has nothing to do with the outbreak of Coronavirus and it seems it is a politically motivated decision.
Speaking to ILNA, Ali Shariaati said since late May, Georgia without issuing any notice has closed its borders and it even unloaded Iranian trucks and the reason behind such a decision is unknown and it has worried Iranian traders.
Criticizing this unexpected move of Georgians, Shariati said that it seems Georgia has taken this decision in fight with Coronavirus pandemic but since the country has not officially announced the reason, the pretext of coronavirus is not acceptable for Iranians. He added that of course Georgian officials in compliance with the U.S. sanctions have been unkind to Iran and it seems their recent decision for closing borders is politically motivated because Georgia is more inclined towards Turkey.
Shariati added that if Georgia does not give any clear reason for its decision, Iran should summon Georgian Ambassador.
He claimed that Georgia is after launching trade corridor with Turkey by eliminating Baku route and Iranian trucks and it seems this is the reason behind severing trade ties with Iran
Meanwhile the head of the Iran-Georgia Chamber of Commerce told that Iran has not received a clear reason from Georgia why transit between two countries has been suspended.
Seyedeh Fatemeh Moghimi that unfortunately, this problem has been going on for the last two weeks and the joint chamber has not received a clear reason in this regard.
Wagonloads of Iranian goods have entered the Azerbaijan Republic via Astara and were scheduled to be transferred to Georgia. On May 27, Azeri officials refused entry to Iranian cargos.
Without prior notice, Georgia has stopped both trucks and freight trains heading from Iran via Red Bridge, the crossing point between Georgia and Azerbaijan on the Tbilisi-Ganja Road.
The chairwoman of Iran-Georgia Chamber of Commerce said “Therefore, there is still no exact date for sending the goods to Georgia and we can’t export to this country.”
“We have corresponded with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iranian Chamber of Commerce and are still waiting for a response,” she added.
The spokesperson of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration Rouhollah Latifi also said that some blame it on disagreements between Baku and Tbilisi about the mode of transportation.
