TBILISI, October 29 – Russia’s Foreign Ministry has rejected suggestions that recent restrictions on several Georgian wines and other drinks were politically motivated.
Georgian media recently reported new restrictions on wines sold to the Russien Federation. The ban affected the companies Teliani Veli, Tbilvino and Wineman, products from Askaneli Brothers, Georgian Beer Company, Georgian-produced Coca-Cola and Nabeglavi mineral water.
The move had prompted speculation in Georgia that the restrictions amounted to a politically motivated embargo.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the measures were imposed by consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor over product safety and quality concerns.
“There is no political agenda. I think this is all speculation,” Zakharova said.
She described the restrictions as targeted and said violations had been found at only a small number of Georgian producers, while dozens of other Georgian companies continue selling products in Russia.
