The de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the occupied Abkhazia responded to the statement made by the honorary chairperson of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili. Ivanishvili had claimed that the Georgian government would find the strength to apologize after winning the parliamentary elections on October 26, due to the National Movement in 2008 having "encircled the Ossetian sisters and brothers in flames."
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"Although this statement does not directly refer to the Republic of Abkhazia, we would like to note that such a statement - if supported by steps toward reconciliation based on re-evaluating past mistakes and apologizing to the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, renouncing methods of political and economic pressure, and signing a peace agreement - could mark the beginning of a process leading to peaceful coexistence and good neighborly relations," the so-called Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
According to the de facto government’s assessment, Ivanishvili's statement indicates that there is still potential in Georgia for internal reassessment and recognition of its own mistakes.
"Let us hope that Mr. Ivanishvili will be more sincere in his intentions and will find the right words regarding the Abkhazian people. This time, we hope his words will not miss the mark and will lead to the signing of a legally binding document on international guarantees of non-use of force between Abkhazia and Georgia and South Ossetia and Georgia," the statement reads.
Bidzina Ivanishvili announced his apology on September 14 at a pre-election meeting in Gori.
The opposition has called the statement by the leader of the ruling party "treasonous." According to the United National Movement, the Georgian Dream serves only Russia's interests, undermines the policy of non-recognition of the occupied territories, and harms Georgia's national interests.
