In June 2019, compared to previous month, number of military exercises conducted in occupied regions of Georgia has been increased. Kremlin high-rank official visited Tskhinvali Region during illegitimate parliamentary elections. In addition to important visits from Russia, month of June was loaded with anniversary events in Tskhinvali and Sokhumi. You will be able to learn about important developments of June 2019, connected to the Kremlin’s policies in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.

June 2019 Important Developments Shortly: 

• “Elections“ and curator clandestine visit: Kremlin high-ranks official paid secret visit to Tskhinvali two days ahead to illegitimate parliamentary elections.
• Curators visits: Rashid Nurgaliyev, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Russian Federation, and Igor Koshin, Deputy Minister of North Caucasus Affairs, paid working visit to Abkhazia.
• Important meetings: at St. Petersburg International Econimic Forum, de facto Prime Minister of Abkhazia met with Vitaly Mutko, Deputy Chairman of the Government of Russian Federation and Sergey Chebotarev, Minister of North Caucasus Affairs.
• Foreign Policy Coordination: regular consultations were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia between Russian and Abkhazian sides.
• Travel without restrictions: restrictions on terms of stay for the citizens of both sides on the territory of Russia and Tskhinvali Region have been cancelled.
• Military exercises: Servicemen of Russian military base on the occupied territories of Georgia conducted number of military exercises.
• Russian funding: Abkhazia will receive 4.5 billion RUB in 2020-2022
• Cooperation in the field of economy: Russian payment system card service available on the territory of Abkhazia.
• Cooperation in the field of healthcare: General check-ups for the population of Abkhazia has been completed.
• Cooperation with the regions of Russia: Public Chambers of Abkhazia and Chechnya agreed on cooperation.
• Soft power: Alexander Pushkin was commemorated and “Russia Day“celebrated in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.

“Elections“ and Curator’s Clandestine Visit in Tskhinvali Region

On June 9, 2019, illegitimate parliamentary elections were held in Tskhinvali Region. Represetrnatives of Russian Federation, as observers, attended the elections. Sergey Tsekov and Olga Kovitidi were representing Rusian Federation Council and Iuri Smirnoff and Kazbek Taisaev – delegation of State Duma. In addition to Russian observers “elections“ were positively evaluated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

According to existing information, Aleksey Filatov, Head of the Directorate for Cross Border Cooperation of Russian Federation, visited Tskinvali during pre-election period. Filatov is the Kremlin curator to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. As per widespread information Filatov was to prevent success of political team of Eduard Kokoity, former de facto leader of Tskhinvali Region. According to “elections’“ results, Kokoity supported political team (“People’s Party“) gained mandates at de facto parliament. However after the “elections“ “People’s Party“ distanced itself from Kokoity. Apparently Filatov Influenced on “People’s Party“ post-election political simphaties.

Curators Vizit

Nurgaliyev visit

On June 10, 2019,  Rashid Nurgaliyev, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Russian Federation and Curator to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region, visited Abkhazia. In April, 2019, Nurgaliyev visited Tskhinvali Region as well. Within the visit frameworks Nurgaliyev has discussed issues related to the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Healthcare, Defence, as well as the issues of Customs Service and Transport Traffic.

Koshin visit

Working meeting with representatives of the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs, Treasury and Central Bank of Russian Federation was held at the de facto government of Abkhazia. Russian delegation carried out monitoring the purpose of Russian financial assistance consumption in 2018. Russian Delegation was headed by Igor Koshin, Deputy Minister of North Caucasus Affairs.

Important Meetings

Valery Bganba, de facto Prime Minister of Abkhazia, participated in the plenary session of “St. Petersburg International Econimic Forum-2019“. Bganba met with Vitaly Mutko, Deputy Chairman of the Government of  Russian Federation and curator to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. He also met with Sergey Chebotarev, Minister of North Caucasus Affairs. At the meeting was discussed formation of Investment Program for 2020-2022 promoting socio-economy development of Abkhazia.

Consultations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia

On June 20, 2019, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, regular consultations were held within the frames of foreign policy coordination mechanism. Igor Akhba, de facto ambassador of Abkhazia to Russia, and Denis Gonchar, recently appointed Director of the 4th CIS Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation. Discussions focused on the main topics of foreign policy coordination and the current issues of Abkhazia-Russia relations.

Travel without Restrictions

On June 27, 2019, Russian State Duma ratified additional protocol to the agreement on alliance and integration between Russia and Tskhinvali Region. According to the document, restrictions have been cancelled on terms of stay for the citizens of both sides on the territory of Russia and Tskhinvali Region. Absence of such agreement with Abkhazia indicates that there is integration higher level with Russia in Tskhinvali Region rather than in Abkhazia.

Military Exercises

In month of June, compared to May, number of military exercises has increased in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region

Military exercises at the 7th military base in Abkhazia

• Tank crews and operators of anti-tank missile complexes intensively exercised on modern computer training simulators.
• More than 1500 servicemen of armoured vehicles divisions and in the composition of crew of the military base carried out combat shootings.
• Commanders of military units were introduced to new principles on organizing combat trainings.
• Division of engineer sappers, with the help of sniffer dogs, for the first time, cleared territory from explosive devices.

The 7th military base other news

• Up to 300 junior specialists joined military base for military service.
• More than 3000 servicemen participated in up to 20 sportive events from beginning of the yaer till present.

Military exercises at the 4th military base in Tskhinvali Region

• Military base servicemen exercised on Dzartsemi polygon. During the exercises conditional enemy cluster was discovered with the help of unmanned aviation and destroyed by means of various military equipment and weapon.
• Military base servicemen exercised in use of hand grenades.

Russian Funding for 2020-2022

According to Valery Bganba, de facto Prime Minister of Abkhazia, Russia will allocate 4.5 billion RUB for socio-economic development of Abkhazia. Abkhazia will receive financial assistance in line with the new program for socio-economic development of Abkhazia in 2020-2022.

Cooperation in the Field of Economy

Export Tax Cancellation on Petroleum Products

On June 7, 2019, Adgur Ardzinba, de facto Minister of Economy of Abkhazia, and Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy of Russian Federation, signed protocol on amendment to the agreement on trade regime between Russia and Abkhazia. Amendment implies supply of petroleum products without export customs duties, that will result in abolishing of preliminary customs clearance regime.

Russian Payment System Card Service in Abkhazia

According to de facto National Bank of Abkhazia, Abkhazian payment system „АПРА“ started bank card service of Russian payment system „Мир“. „Мир“ is Russian payment system operating in RUB. Hence, „Мир“ card holders will be able to withdraw money from ATMs and banks and use cards in merchants on the territory of Abkhazia.

Cooperation in the Field of Healthcare

Population general medical check-up results have been summarized in Abkhazia. General medical check-ups for the population of Abkhazia commenced on April 5, 2019, from Gali district and completed on June 10, in Gagra district. 13 600 citizens underwent medical check-ups, provided by the group of doctors of Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia. Enhancing cooperation in the field of healthcare aims to reduce medical assistance provision on the territory controlled by Georgian government for the patients living in Abkhazia. The mentioned trend is negatively assessed by the local de facto government and is considered as a tool of “soft power”- Tbilisi applies against Sukhumi

Cooperation with the Regions of Russia

Public Chambers of de facto Republic of Abkhazia and Republic of Chechnya agreed on cooperation. Parties plan to intensify cooperation at the level of civil society.

Russian Soft Power

In June 2019, representations of Federal Agency for CIS States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs commemorated famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin and celebrated “Russia Day“.

Pushkin anniversary

On June 6, 2019, Russian Language international day and the 220th anniversary of the birth of the famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin was celebrated in Tskhinvali. Poetry evening dedicated to Pushkin’s anniversary was held in Sukhumi Botanical Garden and Central Library in Gagra.

“Russia Day“

On June 11, 2019, at the “Embassy“of Russian Federation in Abkhazia “Russia Day“ (national holiday of Russian Federation marked on June 12) was celebrated. On June 18, in Tskhinvali, at the Cinema and Concert hall “Chermen“, local young artists’exebition was opened in connection with “Russia Day“.

Day of commemoration and mourning

On June 22, 2019, day of commemoration and mourning, marked throughout Russia, was devoted to “ the Great Patriotic War“ begun on June 22, 1941. Tskhinvali Region joined the candles lighting memorial event. The mourning event was held in Sukhumi as well.

25th Anniversary of Peacekeeping Mission

On June 21, 2019, was marked the 25th anniversary of the launch of peacekeeping mission in Abkhazia. Peacekeeping mission veterans, military servicemen of the Russian military base in Abkhazia and Abkhazia, de facto President of Abkhazia and Russian “ambassador“ to Abkhazia participated in the ceremonial event. Peacekeeping mission was stopped on September 1, 2008, after the Russian-Georgian war.

Education

Assistance to Abkhazian Schools: Agency representation presented mobile laboratory complex and computer equipment to the 14th Public School.

Computer courses: On June 19, Russian Center of Science and Culture in Tskhinvali Region awarded the 18th graduates of computer courses.

Quotas in Russia: According to Aza Plieva, representative of de facto Ministry of Education of Tskhinvali Region, in direction of de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tskhinvali Region, 5 places for bachelor, 3 - for master’s degree and 5 - for Diplomatic Academy are allocated at Moscow State Institute of International Relations. The following quotas are allocated for de facto law enforcement agencies for 2019-2020 academic year: Security Service – 9, Ministry of Internal Affairs – 22, Ministry of Emergency Situations -2, Ministry of Defence – 91.

Cooperation in the field of culture

On June 19, Agency representative in Sukhumi met with the Minister of Education and Preservation of Hitorical-Cultural Heritage. At the meeting was discussed the issues on cooperation in the field of culture.