The de facto president of occupied Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, speaking about the ban on the activities of the US International Development Agency, said that the “strategic partnership” with Russia imposes “certain obligations” on Abkhazia.
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“If the activities of this organization have been banned on the territory of the Russian Federation since 2012, in these difficult conditions, when battles are taking place, in fact, a large-scale war is taking place, can we, as allies and strategic partners, allow the activities of an organization hostile to unfriendly Russia here, on the territory of Abkhazia?” Aslan Bzhania said, addressing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Inal Ardzinba.
“This is how we should talk, Inal, about hot topics. Diplomatic language, of course, is good, but it is not always understandable to the public and ordinary people. If we are allies, if we are strategic partners, this imposes certain obligations on us.”
According to Bzhania, relations with the Russian Federation are at a high level, but they should be at an even higher level, because “this is the fundamental interest of the Abkhazian people”.
A few days ago, Aslan Bzhania called for the draft law “On non-profit organizations and individuals acting as foreign agents” to be submitted to parliament. If it is adopted, it will be possible to declare non-governmental organizations and individuals as “foreign agents,” as is the case in Russia. The civil sector opposes the adoption of the new law.
Implementation of projects funded by USAID has already been banned in Abkhazia. In December last year, USAID/Caucasus Mission Director John Pennell was declared persona non grata by the decision of the de facto foreign minister.
