Georgia Confirms Transit of French Bastion Armored Vehicles to Armenia

The APM Terminals Poti company has confirmed the transit of French "Bastion" armored vehicles through Georgia to Armenia, in response to a query from the Georgian service of Radio Liberty.

"We want to emphasize that in this specific case, the cargo has come from an EU country, France, and is directed to Armenia, a country against which no sanctions are applied. At the same time, under the clear guidelines of the Georgian government and in the absence of restrictions imposed by international regulatory bodies, APM Terminals Poti, a multifunctional seaport, has no basis to refuse the acceptance of cargoes that are not under sanctions," the statement from the managing company of the Port of Poti reads.

Recently, Azerbaijani media reported that on November 12, French-made "Bastion" armored vehicles produced by the ACMAT company had been delivered to the Port of Poti for Armenia.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry condemned France's shipment of military equipment to Armenia. According to local media reports, the spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Aykhan Hajizade, stated that the transfer of this military equipment serves to strengthen Armenia's military capabilities and "destructive actions" in the region.

"Steps that serve to the militarization policies of Armenia, amid France's defamatory anti-Azerbaijani campaign and its destructive activities in the region, show that France has erroneous interests in the region. Armenia and France should put an end to the arms and militarization policies in the region, and these countries should finally realize that peace and cooperation in the region have no alternative," Hajizade noted.