Publication: N50 / Review period: February 1-28, 2023 / Author: Arsen Araqelov
Overview 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.
Maria Zakharova Talking About the Occupied Territories
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Maria Zakharova, answered a media question about the de facto republics of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. According to her, Russia continues to develop bilateral relations with the de facto republics of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region.
Zakharova noted that the support of the de facto republics of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region to Russia in the war against Ukraine is a good example of a reliable alliance relationship. According to her, Russia remains the main trade partner of the occupied regions which is evidenced by the financial support and implementation of investment programs.
Bzhania's Visit to Moscow
On February 19, during his visit to Moscow, Aslan Bzhania, the de facto President of Abkhazia, met with the Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Rashid Nurgaliyev, who supervises the direction of the occupied regions at the Council. According to a representative of Bzhania, the meeting discussed issues of bilateral relations in terms of security.
In addition, on February 24, Bzhania met with the Minister of Economic Development of Russia, Maxim Reshetnikov, and the Deputy Chairman of the Government, Alexander Novak, who oversees the occupied regions in the government. The meeting discussed issues of cooperation in the field of energy, harmonization of “legislation,” gasification and protection of investments, as well as the importance of restoring air traffic between the de facto republic and Russia.
Meeting of the “Intergovernmental Commission”
On February 8, a meeting of the “Intergovernmental Commission” of the de facto republic of the Tskhinvali region and Russia was held in Moscow. A delegation of the de facto government was headed by the de facto President Alan Gagloyev, and a Russian delegation was represented by the Deputy Chairman of the government, Alexander Novak. The meeting discussed issues related to the Russia-financed investment program for 2023-2025 which is aimed at promoting the socio-economic development of the de facto republic.
The “Intergovernmental Commission” was attended by the Minister of Economy of the de facto Republic, Dzambolat Tadtaev. According to him, the issues discussed at the meeting will create an opportunity for further development of bilateral trade between Russia and the de facto republic.
Tadtaev also presented a summary report of the activities carried out in 2022 within the framework of the investment program. It is noteworthy that in 2023, Russia will conduct an examination of the quality of the projects implemented within the framework of the investment program in the de facto republic.
As reported after the meeting, Russia will provide a total of RUB 6 billion assistance to Tskhinvali in 2023. The funding will cover part of the costs of the “republic's” law enforcement agencies, part of the salaries of “public officials” and other “state” expenditures.
The Minister of Justice of the de facto Republic, Oleg Gagloyev, also attended the “Intergovernmental Commission.” According to him, the meeting reached an agreement which provides for salary increases for “public servants.”
Novak also evaluated the meeting. According to him, Russian banks are ready to give a RUB 2 billion credit to entrepreneurs who will implement projects in the occupied Tskhinvali region. The meeting approved the investment program for 2023-2025 which provides for the realization of 46 projects in the de facto republic. A total of RUB 3.5 billion (approx. USD 47 thousand) have been allocated for this purpose.
Exhibition of Abkhazian and Ossetian Products in Moscow
The Expocenter exhibition center in Moscow hosted a large exhibition – Prodexpo which represents food products and beverages produced in Russia and Eastern European countries.
According to the so-called Trade Representative of the de facto republic of the Tskhinvali region in Russia,Teimuraz Goginov, two companies - Highland Celtic Brewery (Akhalgori Brewery) and Ironsan Winery, represented the occupied Tskhinvali.
The Brewery presented two types of traditional light-colored beer and one dark beer with trademarks - Iryston, Border star and Alano-va. Ironsan Winery presented several types of wine.
It should be noted that products produced in the occupied Tskhinvali have been demonstrated at the Prodexpo exhibition for the fifth year. This is the second time for Ironsan, and - the debut for Brewery.
The exhibition was visited by a government delegation of the de facto republic of the Tskhinvali region under the leadership of the so-called President, Alan Gagloyev, who was in Moscow to participate in an Intergovernmental Commission meeting.
The de facto Republic of Abkhazia was presented by the Wines and Beverages of Abkhazia company.
Meeting with the Director of the Joint Information-Coordination Center of Internal Affairs Bodies
The Minister of Internal Affairs of the de facto Republic of the Tskhinvali region, Valery Gazaev, met with the Director of the Joint Information-Coordination Center of Internal Affairs Bodies of the Tskhinvali region, Vasily Shepelev. On November 10, 2019, an agreement was signed between the de facto republic and Russia, according to which the internal affairs “bodies” must share with each other the necessary information within the competence of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The meeting highlighted this issue as well as the importance of information sharing between the “agencies.”
Meeting with the Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology
The Minister of Agriculture of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia, Beslan Jopua, met with the Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology, Anton Shalayev. The meeting discussed the issue of cooperation between the “agencies” and the need to establish common standards. Shalayev noted that the cooperation between the “agencies” will contribute to the development of trade and economic relations.
Unified Customs Tariff
The Federal Customs Service of Russia signed a protocol according to which the customs tariff and customs fee at the so-called border of the de facto republic of the Tskhinvali region will be identical to Russia and the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union. The agreement was signed by the Heads of the Customs Service of Russia and the de facto Tskhinvali region, Vladimir Bulavin and Murat Tskhovrebov. The protocol is valid for a 3-year term and can be automatically extended for the same period.