Staff changes at the Russian government towards Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region started early 2020 continued in February as well. Starting from February 1, Abkhazia receives electricity from Russia. Textbooks of Russian language and literature were handed over to schools in Gali district. Russia will help Abkhazia to fight the Conoravirus. The article provides an overview of the major events that took place in February 2020 in connection with the Kremlin policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region.
February 2020 Important Developments Shortly:
Curators
Curators to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Regions: Staff changes
On February 7, 2020, by the decree of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, former Minister of North Caucasus Affairs Sergey Chebotarev was appointed Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Economic Development. Chebotarev will continue his old job as the Deputy Minister at the new ministry. On January 21, 2020, by the order of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs was abolished and joined the Ministry of Economic Development.
Reportedly, the curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region has been replaced at the Directorate for Cross-Border Cooperation of the Presidential Administration. Vladimir Vladimirov was replaced by Vladimir Mishenkov. Vladimirov has been in office since August 2017 and oversaw political direction in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. Mishenkov has worked at the Ministry of Regional Development and the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs.
On February 15, 2020, by the decree of the government of the Russian Federation, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin was appointed Co-Chair of the intergovernmental committee on socio-economic cooperation with Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. Khusnullin was preceded by Vitaly Mutko, who left the government on January 21.
On February 18, 2020, the order published on the President's website finally confirmed the rumors on deposition of the Presidential Assistance Vladislav Surkov. His areas of responsibility at the Presidential administration covered directions of Ukraine and the occupied regions of Georgia.
Russian Advisor died in Tskhinvali
On February 3, 2020, the Russian Federation Health Advisor Igor Gal died in the Tskhinvali Region. Bodies of Gal and his wife were found in their rented apartment in Tskhinvali. Vladikavkaz forensic-medical examination determined death was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Gal was involved in the reform of the healthcare system in the Tskhinvali Region since 2016.
Meeting with Curator
On February 28, 2020, in Moscow, de facto President of the Tskhinvali Region Anatoly Bibilov met with the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kozak. Issues related to construction of backup power lines, modernization of Trans-Caucasian highway and financing of investment program were discussed at the meeting. This was the first meeting of the Presidential Administration senior officials with de facto Leader of the Tskhinvali Region after deposition of Vladislav Surkov’s, who was the curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. At this stage, the Presidential Administration has not officially confirmed who will substitute Surkov in direction of occupied regions of Georgia, however it seems Kozak is already coordinating this direction. Earlier, Kozak officially replaced Surkov for the Ukrainian direction.
Military Exercises
Military exercises at the 7th military base in Abkhazia
The 7th military base other news
Military exercises at the 4th military base in the Tskhinvali Region
Cooperation in the Field of Security
De facto Defence Minister of Abkhazia Merab Kishamria met with the Commander of the 7th military base of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia Oleg Senkov. During the meeting the parties congratulated each other on the coming „Defender of the Fatherland Day“ and expressed readiness to hold joint events.
Foreign Policy Coordination
On February 6, 2020, Andrey Rudenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation and curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region, met with the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions on stability and security in Transcaucasia. Meeting participants exchanged views on regional security issues. Special attention was paid to the situation on the occupation line, at de facto border with the Tskhinvali Region. The sides discussed possible steps to de-escalate the tensions.
Cooperation in the Field of Economics
As de facto President Anatoly Bibilov stated at the meeting with entrepreneurs, who faced problems while importing food and industrial goods from Russia to the Tskhinvali Region via „Nizhny Zaramag“ customs point, Bibilov has sent a letter to the Russian Ministry of Economic Development outlining specific solutions to the problem at de facto border of the Tskhinvali Region with Russia. The problem arose as a result of Russia's request for customs clearance in accordance with the Customs Union rules. To solve the problem, representatives of de facto customs service of the Tskhinvali Region met with representatives of customs service the North Ossetian Republic - Alania. The problem is not resolved at the moment.
Cooperation in the Field of Energy
On February 1, the Russian Federation started supplying Abkhazia with electricity. Energy deficit in Abkhazia was caused by water decrease to critical level in Jvari reservoir. Electricity supply from Russia will continue until Enguri Dam returns to normal operation. To eliminate current energy shortage, it is planned to supply Abkhazia with 200-250 million kWh electricity in February-March. For Abkhazia price per kWh will be 2 Russian RUB. In 2019 electricity supply cost amounted to 190 million RUB.
Cooperation in the Field of Healthcare
Russia Continues Medicines Provision to Abkhazia
De facto Parliament of Abkhazia ratified additional agreement on cooperation between Abkhazia and Russia in the field of medicines and medical products provision to the certain categories of Russian citizens residing in Abkhazia. The agreement validity was extended till December 31, 2022. The agreement was signed in 2017 and expired on December 31, 2019. 9 categories of disabled persons will benefit from the agreement, totally covering 8,000 people and amounting to 50 million RUB. The agreement extension was supported by the Russian government as well.
Russia will Assist Abkhazia to Fight the Coronavirus
The Russian Ministry of Health and „Rospotrebnadzor“ will assist Abkhazia to strengthen sanitary and quarantine posts on de facto borders of Abkhazia. Assistance envisages arrival of mobile sanitary-epidemiological squads and epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists of the Russian Ministry of Health. In addition, Russia will assist Abkhazia with necessary medicines, consumables, diagnostic test systems and individual protection equipment. Totally, Abkhazia will receive 500 test systems.
Cooperation with Separatists
De facto President of the Tskhinvali Region Anatoly Bibilov paid a visit to self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic. Leonid Passychnik, Leader of the separatist Lugansk, invited Bibilov to the parade on the 75th anniversary of the Victory in World War II, that will be held in May.
Russian „Soft Power“
The Federal Agency for CIS States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs representations in Abkhazia had a busy month in February.
Day of Diplomats
On February 8, 2020, Day of Russian Diplomats was celebrated in Tskhinvali. De facto president Anatoly Bibilov also attended the ceremony. On February 10, de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia Daur Kove attended the similar event held in Sokhumi.
Musical books
Educational materials were donated to the region music schools with the support of the agency representation in Tskhinvali.
Lessons in computer sciences for students
As a part of the All-Russian educational campaign „Numbers Lesson“, lesson in computer sciences was held for students of 8 - 9 grades at the agency representation in Tskhinvali.
New kindergarten in Tskhinvali
New kindergarten with 160 places was opened in Tskhinvali. The kindergarten construction under the investment program promoting socio-economic development of the Tskhinvali Region was completed in 2019. De facto President Anatoly Bibilov and Russian „ambassador“ to the region Marat Kulakhmetov attended the new building opening ceremony.
Meeting with principals of schools in Gali district
Head of the agency representation in Abkhazia Vadim Chekha participated in the meeting with principals of schools in Gali district. During the meeting the schools were given Russian language and literature textbooks and methodical literature.
„Lessons of Devotion“
As a part of preparation for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in World War II, the agency representation in Abkhazia conducted „Lessons of Devotion“ in Abkhazian schools. At the 2nd secondary school of Sokhumi lesson was held on the day of liberation Rostov from fascists. Similar lesson was also held at Drand school. At the 3rd secondary school in Sokhumi, lesson was dedicated to the Battle of Stalingrad. After the lessons, the schools received books on World War II.
Remembering Pasternak
In Tskhinvali, at the Agency representation was held an evening dedicated to the work of the Russian poet Boris Pasternak.
Education in Russia
In Tskhinvali and Akhalgori the agency representatives held meetings with senior grade students and entrants to higher educational institutions and discussed the issue of getting education in Russia.
Literary-musical evening in Tskhinvali
In Tskhinvali, at the children’s library was held thematic literary-musical evening dedicated to the day of „Defender of the Fatherland“. Students of cadet school and the 2nd secondary school participated in the evening.
International Mother Language Day was celebrated in Sokhumi as well
On February 21, with the Agency representation support, International Mother Language Day was celebrated in Sokhumi. Students of Abkhazian and Armenian schools in Sokhumi participated in a multimedia quiz in Russian language and literature.