’We will expand the circle of states that recognize the independence of the Republic of Abkhazia,’’ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the de facto president of Russian-occupied Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, at a meeting in Sochi on October 3.
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Lavrov congratulated Bzhania on the 15th anniversary of Moscow's recognition of the ‘’independence’’ of Abkhazia and the ‘’30th anniversary of the victory in the Georgian-Abkhaz war.’’
Moscow recognized Abkhazia and the so-called South Ossetia as ‘’independent’’ republics following the 2008 Russo-Georgian war. Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region are recognized by Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia thanked the de facto president of Abkhazia for ‘’regular humanitarian aid’’ to the Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
On his part, Bzhania said that the relations between Abkhazia and Russia are developing dynamically, citing the agreement on dual citizenship and the investment project for the reconstruction of the Sukhumi airport as examples of this. In July, the President of Russia signed the law on the ratification of the agreement on dual citizenship signed between Moscow and Sukhumi. Persons with the so-called Abkhazian passport can obtain Russian citizenship without renouncing de facto Abkhazian citizenship. Russians also have the right to receive ‘’citizenship’’ of Abkhazia. As for the Sukhumi airport, it was handed over to Russia for a period of 49 years.
In an interview with the Russian state-controlled agency TASS, Bzhania said that he wants good neighborly relations with Georgia and is prepared discuss trade and economic relations if Tbilisi recognizes the independence of Abkhazia.
‘’Barring the president, the rest of the Georgian leadership is pragmatically disposed considering today's acute situation, and I do not rule out that the discussion in Geneva will lead to something.
I think they understand that peace is a precondition for the development of both Abkhazia and Georgia. I hope so,’’ he said.
On October 3, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia met with the de facto president of the so-called South Ossetia, Alan Gagloyev. On October 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet the de facto president of Abkhazia.
According to the chairman of the party European Democrats, Paata Davitaia, the intensified meetings suggest that Russia is ‘’preparing for the annexation of the territories of our country.’’
‘’The meetings held in Sochi and the statements made there are very dangerous and directed against the Georgian state. Russia's intensified policy regarding our occupied territories and the intensity of the meetings suggest that Russia is preparing to annex our territories, which I have warned our government about many times. I call on the Government of Georgia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to pay close attention to the developments, make strong protest statements, and call on international partners to join the process,’’ says Davitaia.
