Abkhaz political forces need to think together about how to improve relations with Russia, which have begun to deteriorate, Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba said at a briefing on September 3.
He commented on a document that appeared on social media titled “Minutes of the meeting between Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration Dmitry Kozak and President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania.”
The report also discusses the suspension of funding for the Abkhaz development programme for 2022-2025 from 1 September until Sukhum fulfils its obligations, a decision to supply electricity to Abkhazia in the autumn-winter period of this year only for commercial purposes, and a commitment to provide Russia with data on the deprivation of Russian citizenship of those MPs and opposition leaders who take an unconstructive position towards Russia.
Shamba said that the document did not reach the Abkhaz authorities through official channels. He confirmed that from September 1, Russia will stop financing the salaries of public sector employees in Abkhazia due to Abkhazia’s failure to fulfill its obligations under agreements with Russia. He added that Russia, as an ally, has accumulated discontent with Abkhazia.
“It is no longer what it was at the beginning. I remember what the attitude of Russian society towards us was when the independence of Abkhazia was recognised. This is not the case today. We all tried to make this happen. Let us all try together to rectify the situation somehow. There is a lot of negativity on social media about the relationship between Russia and Abkhazia. Therefore, let us work together to ensure that relations with our strategic ally improve. This is in our common interest.”– the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia noted, adding that in the conditions of the restructuring of the world system, Abkhazia and the entire world are facing many threats, which is why Abkhazia is also on the brink of the abyss.
He also commented on the intention of opposition forces to hold a public meeting in Lykhnasht.
“If a meeting is held, it is not necessary to do so because someone may be deprived of citizenship, especially since it is still unknown whether this will happen or not, but because of the question of how we can continue to live in a situation where relations with Russia are beginning to deteriorate. We are already seeing the first signs that the situation has changed significantly from what it was, and may become even worse. Therefore, one could ask people what they are ready for. Are they ready to tighten their belts and live as it was when Abkhazia was under blockade, or not?”– Shamba said.
It should be recalled that the parliamentary opposition in Abkhazia is blocking the adoption of some laws and the ratification of agreements with Russia. The Abkhaz side must ratify a bilateral agreement with Russia on the mutual recognition of court and arbitration decisions in economic matters, achieve the entry into force of an agreement on Russian investments in Abkhazia and remove restrictions on Russian companies in the commercial real estate market (apartments).
Source: Rossa Primavera
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