The Civil Aviation Agency said on Thursday that Georgia actively observes and ensures compliance with sanctions imposed by its international partners, including in the aviation sector.

According to the Agency, the expanded sanctions list announced by the US Department of State includes airlines currently operating flights between Georgia and Iran. It said Georgia would, as in previous cases, act in full compliance with the international sanctions regime.

The Agency said that, when authorising foreign airlines to operate in the Georgian aviation market, Georgia is guided by national legislation, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, and bilateral and multilateral international agreements.

It added that Georgia also takes into account sanctions mechanisms imposed by the European Union and the United States.

“At the same time, to ensure the safety of passengers, the local aviation market and infrastructure, the Civil Aviation Agency of Georgia has for years used the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), as well as all other sanctions lists administered by OFAC, as an additional monitoring mechanism”, the Agency said.

“Accordingly, under this mechanism, Georgia has previously restricted the operations of several airlines”, it added.

The Agency said Georgia would continue to ensure strict compliance with international requirements and use the relevant sanctions mechanisms.

“As the expanded sanctions list announced by the US Department of State includes airlines currently operating flights between Georgia and Iran, the Georgian side will, as in previous cases, act in full compliance with the international sanctions regime”, the statement concluded.