Publication: N33 / Period: September 1-30, 2021
Review of the Kremlin Policy in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region is being prepared within the framework of the project - Roadmap to Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. The purpose of the publication is to review important developments related to Russia’s policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. The review is a monthly publication and will be useful for everyone – decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people who are interested in the Kremlin policy in the occupied regions of Georgia.
Change of Government Officials
New Head of the Diocese of Vladikavkaz
On September 23-24, 2021, by a decision of the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate, Archbishop Leonid, the Leader of the Diocese of Alania and Vladikavkaz was relieved from the administration of the diocese; however, he retained the post of the Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. Leonid was appointed as Vicar of the Moscow Patriarch and was awarded with the title Klinsky. Leonid has been active in the Tskhinvali region since 2016 and often visits the region, bypassing the Georgian government and church. A church was built in Tskhinvali under his supervision. Information about who will replace Leonid is not yet available.
New Person to Ensure the Use of “Soft Power” in Abkhazia
On September 27, 2021, on the air of Sputnik Abkhazia radio, the Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo office in Abkhazia, Vadim Chekha, announced that he will soon resign. He named the expiration of the three-year contract as the reason.
Russian State Duma Elections
On September 17-19, 2021, elections to the State Duma of the 8th convocation were held in Russia. Russian passport holders living on the occupied territories of Georgia - Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region - also took part in the voting.
The elections were held at nine polling stations in Abkhazia on September 19. A total of ten polling stations, nine for civilians and one for serviceman of the 4th Russian military base, were opened in the Tskhinvali region.
In total, 14,549 people participated in the elections in Abkhazia, and over 11,000 Russian citizens voted in the Tskhinvali region.
Meeting with the Government Official
On September 11, the de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Anatoly Bibilov, met with the Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Dmitry Kozak. Kozak oversees the direction of the occupied regions of Georgia in the administration. The de facto Prime Minister of the region and other members of the “government” also participated in the working meeting. The sides discussed the economic development of the region and the increase in salaries for military servicemen of the Tskhinvali region.
Government Officials Inspected Ongoing Projects in Abkhazia
On September 2, the Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dmitry Volvach, and the Russian Deputy Minister of Energy, Evgeny Grabchak, visited Abkhazia. The members of the Russian delegation were Vitaly Gudin, the Director of the Department for Special Programs and Projects of the Ministry of Economic Development, overseeing the direction of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, and Anton Melnik, his deputy. During the visit, the Russian delegation inspected the social and infrastructural facilities restored under the investment program.
Kristina Ozgan Meeting with the Russian Government Officials. Source: Web-page of the De Facto Ministry of Economy of Abkhazia
On September 13, Gudin and Melnik paid another visit to Abkhazia. The purpose of the visit was to study the progress of the investment program in more detail. The guests also met with the de facto Prime Minister, Alexander Ankvab.
The Russian Ministry of Economic Development oversees the implementation of the 2020-2022 investment program promoting the socio-economic development of Abkhazia. The program allocates RUB 1.5 billion annually for the implementation of socio-economic projects in Abkhazia. A similar program is being implemented in the Tskhinvali region.
Russian MP in Tskhinvali
On September 20, 2020, the Tskhinvali region celebrated the day of the “Republic of South Ossetia.” A delegation of the Russian State Duma also took part in the celebration. The delegation was chaired by a State Duma MP, Kazbek Taisayev.
Visit to Russia
The de facto Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy of Abkhazia, Kristina Ozgan paid visit to Moscow. Ozgan held meetings at the Russian Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Energy, and Russia's state-owned Gazprom. The meeting in the Russian Presidential Administration discussed the socio-economic development of Abkhazia. A meeting with the Russian Deputy Energy Minister, Evgeny Grabchak, focused on energy issues, while a meeting with Gazprom Promgaz covered the development of a general gas supply scheme and gasification of Abkhazia. A meeting between Ozgan and the First Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, Andrey Ivanov, touched upon the issues of protection and increase of investments in Abkhazia, as well as the issues of “harmonization of legislations of the two countries” and the 2023-2025 investment program promoting the development of Abkhazia.
Military Exercises
Military exercises at the 4th military base in Abkhazia
A detailed review of the activities of the Russian Military forces in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in September 2021 can be found here.
Cooperation in the Field of the Economy
Oil Imports
A protocol was signed in Moscow, which provides for an increase in the volume of oil products imported from Russia to Abkhazia without export customs duties. At a press-conference on September 21, Aslan Bzhania, the de facto President of Abkhazia, said that additional supplies from Russia to Abkhazia would prevent the increase in prices. Reportedly, due to the delay in imports of oil products in August and September, there was an interruption at some filling stations in Abkhazia, which caused public unrest.
Cooperation in Fish Farming
The seventh meeting of the Abkhaz-Russian Fisheries Commission was held in Sokhumi. The meeting was also to determine the maximum catch limit of anchovy for Russian fishing vessels in the Black Sea waters of Abkhazia in the autumn-winter season of 2021-2022.
Cooperation in the Field of Healthcare
Meeting in Moscow
The de facto Minister of Health of the Tskhinvali region, Soslan Naniev, met with the Deputy Minister of Health of Russia in Moscow. The Russia side pledged assistance to Tskhinvali, including in the fight against the coronavirus and in modernizing the health care system of the Tskhinvali region.
Ambulances to Abkhazia
The de facto Ministry of Health received two ambulances from the Chechen Republic on September 4. The vehicles were handed over to Abkhazia as a gift following talks between Bzhania and a Russian State Duma deputy, Adam Delimkhanov.
Agreement on “Dual Citizenship”
On September 20, the de facto Foreign Minister of the Tskhinvali region, Dmitry Medoev, and the Russian “Ambassador” to the Tskhinvali region, Marat Kulakhmetov, signed an agreement on “dual citizenship.” The agreement allows the parties to acquire the “citizenship” of the other side without renouncing their citizenship. Persons with “dual citizenship” enjoy the rights to social security, education, medical care in accordance with the legislation of the party in whose territory they permanently reside. Each party has the right to grant similar rights to a person with “dual citizenship” residing on the territory of the other party. The agreement will enter into force after ratification. It is valid for five years and will be automatically renewed for subsequent five-year periods, unless one of the parties opts out six months before the expiration.
Signing of the Agreement. Source: cominf.org
Cooperation with Regions of Russia
Inauguration of Sergey Menyaylo
The parliament of North Ossetia elected by secret ballot Sergey Menyaylo as the Head of the region. Manyaylo was among three candidates nominated by the Russian President. Anatoly Bibilov also attended the swearing-in ceremony of Menyaylo which was held in the Government House. Bibilov stressed that the election of a new head is of great importance for the Tskhinvali region as well. “Even if we are divided people, we always say that we have one Ossetia,” the de facto President said.
Visit of a Delegation from Arkhangelsk Oblast
Bzhania hosted Vage Petrosyan, the First Deputy Governor of Arkhangelsk Oblast. Bzhania expressed personal sympathy to Arkhangelsk Oblast, since his aunt was from this region. The guests also visited agricultural facilities. Sokhumi and Arkhangelsk have been sister cities since 2011.
Visit of the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Transbaikal Region
Bzhania hosted Andrey Gurulev, the Deputy Chairman of the government of the Transbaikal region, who was a candidate of the United Russia party in the State Duma elections. Interestingly, Russian citizens living in Abkhazia elected a majoritarian MP from the Transbaikal region. Gurulev previously served at the 7th military base.
Visit of the First Vice Governor of the Krasnodar Region
Ankvab hosted Andrey Alekseenko, the First Vice Governor of the Krasnodar region. The parties discussed issues of cooperation in various fields, including in the areas supervised by Alekseenko: construction, architecture, civil defense, and emergencies.