Publication: N36 / Review period: December 1-31, 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.
Meeting with Sergey Lavrov
On December 20, 2021, in Sochi, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, met with the de facto Foreign Ministers of the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia, Dmitry Medoev and Inal Ardzinba, respectively. The sides discussed the main aspects of cooperation, foreign policy directions and the regional security. Before the joint meeting the Russian Minister personally met with Dmitry Medoev first, and then with Inal Ardzinba.
Visits to Russia
Gennady Bekoev Meets with the Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development
On December 3, as part of his working visit to Moscow, the de facto Prime Minister of the Tskhinvali region, Gennady Bekoev, met with Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dmitry Volvach. The main topic of the meeting was the implementation of the 2022-2025 investment program promoting the socio-economic development of the Tskhinvali region. The program focuses on the industrial sector, agriculture and tourism.
Meeting with the President of the Russian Academy of Education
On December 10, in Moscow, the Minister of Education and Language Policy of Abkhazia, Inal Gablia, met with the President of the Russian Academy of Education, Olga Vasileva, and her deputy, Gennady Onishchenko. During the meeting the sides agreed the Education Academy to take part in the development of experimental and scientific-methodological infrastructure of the education system of Abkhazia.
Military Exercises
A detailed review of the activities of the Russian Military forces in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in December 2021 can be found here.
Coordination of Foreign Policy
Inal Ardzinba Meets with Russia’s “Ambassador”
The de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, Inal Ardzinba, met with Russia’s Ambassador to Abkhazia, Aleksey Dvinianin. Mr. Dvinianin congratulated Inal Ardzinba on his appointment as “minister.” At the meeting, the sides stressed the need to launch new Abkhaz-Russian projects in the fields of youth policy, culture, sports and education. Topical issues of Abkhaz-Russian bilateral relations were also discussed during the meeting. Interestingly, shortly after the meeting, Aleksey Dvinianin completed his diplomatic mission to Abkhazia.
Meeting with Andrey Rudenko
On December 3, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrey Rudenko, met with the head of the Abkhaz delegation to the Geneva International Talks and the de facto Deputy Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Irakli Tuzhba. The meeting agreed the agenda and positions at the 55th round of the Geneva International Talks. Particular attention was paid to the issue of signing an agreement on non-use of force, as well as the issue of the security in the region.
Meeting with Andrey Rudenko. Source: mfaapsny.org
Budget Support
The 2022 budget of the de facto republic of the Tskhinvali region will be RUB 8.7 billion, including RUB 7.2 billion of financial assistance from Russia (RUB 5.9 billion under the financial assistance for the socio-economic development of the de facto republic, and RUB 1.3 billion under the investment program promoting the socio-economic development of the de facto republic).
Cooperation in the Field of Energy
On December 18, Russia started electricity provision to Abkhazia due to the low level of water in the Enguri reservoir. Earlier this year, Abkhazia received electricity from Russia for several months due to ongoing rehabilitation work on the Enguri HPP.
Cooperation in the Feld of Health
Military Hospital in Abkhazia Completed Operation
The military hospital deployed in Abkhazia completed its work. The multi-disciplinary mobile hospital was sent by the Russian Ministry of Defense. This was the second military hospital sent by Russia to Abkhazia to help in the fight against the coronavirus. The hospital provided outpatient treatment for 1,058 people and cured 535 patients infected with the coronavirus.
Cooperation of Veterinary Services
The Veterinary Services of Abkhazia and the Leningrad region signed a cooperation agreement. Within the framework of the agreement, Abkhaz veterinarians paid a working visit to the Leningrad region and familiarized themselves with the work of Russian specialists.
Meeting with the Russian Ombudsman
The de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Anatoly Bibilov, met with the Russian Ombudsman, Tatyana Moskalkova. The meeting discussed the issues of cooperation, including the prospects for the participation of staff of the South Ossetian Human Rights Ombudsmen Office in Russia’s educational programs.
Meetin with Ombudsman. Source: cominf.org
Russia’s “Soft Power”
Internship in Russia for Abkhaz Students
Three Abkhaz students will undergo internship and advanced training courses in Russia under the program of the Future of Abkhazia public organization. The initiative is supported by the “Ministry” of Foreign Affairs.
Shchepkin School Receives 15 Abkhaz Entrants
A total of 15 entrants from Abkhazia will study Acting Art at the Mikhail Shchepkin Higher Theatre School. The Rusdram F. Iskander State Theater hosted the competition.
Future of Abkhazia Youth Centre Will Be Opened in Moscow
As announced by the “Minister” of Foreign Affairs, Inal Ardzinba, on December 6, the Future of Abkhazia youth centre will be opened at the “Embassy” of Abkhazia in Moscow. The project will be implemented in early 2022.
State University of the Tskhinvali Region Continues the Cooperation with the NCFU
The State University of the Tskhinvali region continues the cooperation with the North Caucasus Federal University (NCFU). On December 6, a working meeting was held between the heads of the mentioned institutions.
Editor-in-Chief of Regnum in Tskhinvali
Vadim Tadeev, the rector of the so-called State University of South Ossetia, and Modest Kolerov, the editor-in-chief of the Regnum Russian news agency, signed a cooperation agreement. The parties agreed to hold a scientific-practical conference.