Challenges and Prospects for Legal Response Against Unilateral Trade Measures for Georgia

Abstract

The embargo imposed on Georgian products by the Russian Federation in 2006 posed a significant challenge
to the country. Since Russia became a member of the World Trade Organization, Georgia has gained
significant leverage to protect itself from unilateral trade measures. It is important for the country to make a
legal assessment of the measures employed in the past against Georgia and to understand the prospects of
protection from these measures. Also, in addition to the legal mechanisms established by the World Trade
Organization, the role of free trade agreements, concluded by Georgia, in terms of protection against
unilateral measures shall be highlighted, as the country has the freedom to reflect the protection
mechanisms in future agreements. Recent developments, including the initiation of the Russian Federation
to leave the World Trade Organization after the Russia-Ukraine war, further increase the role of protection
of rights under international treaties.