Russian News Agency  “Itar-Tass“ published extensive interview with the Minister of North Caucasus Affairs  Sergei Chebotarev, where the Minister spoke about Georgia as well as about Abkhazia and Tkhinvali Region. At this stage, Chebotarev is the most experienced and influential person in Russian Government towards Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. For years he’d been personally involved in the processes that took place in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.

According to the Minister, until May 2014, during his working period at the President Administration (namely at Directorate for Interregional Relations and Cultural Contacts with Foreign Countries) he had relationship with Abkhazian and Tskhinvali Region de facto Leaders.

The Minister considers Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region as strategic partners of Russia. On journalist’s question that his approach is incomprehensible in Georgia, the Minister answered: “this is the least I think about. I have many good and reliable friends among Georgian, they do not interfere our relationship with politics. We continue our friendship, of course, not official relationship. What happened between Georgian, Abkhazian and Ossetian people is a great tragedy. Soon or later the situation will be regulated. There is no other way. "

According to the Minister the first Caucasian International Economic Forum is planned to be held in November, 2019, where Caucasian and North Caucasian issues should be reviewed. The Minister assumes that, in addition to the North Caucasus, the representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and the de facto republics of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region will also participate in the Forum.