Monthly Review

Review of the Kremlin Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region

2023 / 05 / 02

Publication:  N52 / Review period:  April 1-30, 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.

 

 

Visits to Moscow

Aslan Bzhania's Visit

On April 18, as part of his visit to Moscow, the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, met with the Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Rashid Nurgaliyev, who supervises the direction of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in the Security Council. The meeting discussed issues of regional security and socio-economic development of Abkhazia as well as the safety of Russian tourists spending their holidays in Abkhazia.

On April 19, Bzhania met with the Minister of Finance of Russia, Anton Siluanov. The meeting discussed the issue of cooperation in the field of economy and finance.

Aslan Bzhania's Meeting with Anton Siluanov

Inal Ardzinba's Visit

On April 6, the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs, Inal Ardzinba, met with the Special Representative of the Russian President for the Middle East and African Countries and the Deputy Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov. The meeting discussed issues of bilateral cooperation within the framework of cooperation with countries of the Middle East and Africa.

On the same day, Ardzinba met with the Russian Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, Maksut Shadayev. The meeting discussed the prospect of creating an IT park in the occupied Abkhazia with the involvement of specialists from partner countries, as well as establishing contacts with Russian leading IT companies (Yandex, VK) and digitalization of public services.

Credentials to Vladimir Putin

On April 5, in the Kremlin, the “Ambassador” of the de facto republic of Abkhazia to Russia, Alkhas Kvitsinia, presented his credentials to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. At the event, Putin mentioned the strategic partnership and 15-year diplomatic relations with the occupied Abkhazia and noted that the Kremlin will continue to provide socio-economic assistance to the de facto republic.

Presenting Credential

Meeting Between the De Facto Minister of Internal Affairs and a Delegation of the Internal Affairs Bodies of Russia's Border Regions

On April 6, in Sochi, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the de facto republic of Abkhazia, Walter Butba, took part in an interdepartmental meeting of the Bilateral Committee of the Internal Affairs Bodies of Russia's Border Regions. The meeting was also attended by representatives of MoIA of the Krasnodar region, the North Caucasus Federal District, the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia and the Russian Federal Territory “Sirius.”

The parties discussed issues related to countering illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, operational information sharing about crimes detected in border areas, crime prevention and the implementation of joint measures.

The meeting of the Committee was held within the framework of an agreement signed by the de facto republic of Abkhazia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia on December 24, 2010, which provides for the cooperation between border regions.

Government of Moscow Visits Sokhumi

The de facto Mayor of the occupied Sokhumi, Beslan Eshba, met with the Deputy Head of the Department for Foreign Economy and International Relations of the Government of Moscow, Igor Tkach. The meeting was attended by the Head of the Moscow House office in Sokhumi, Alexander Bigvava. The parties discussed the issue of signing a memorandum of cooperation between Moscow and Sokhumi.

Dmitriy Volvach's visit to the Tskhinvali Region

On April 19, Dmitry Volvach, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, who oversees the direction of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, visited the de facto republic of the Tskhinvali region.

Volvach attended a meeting on socio-economic cooperation between Russia and the de facto republic where he stated that “the best sons of South Ossetia and Russia sacrifice their lives to protect peace and the future.” He also noted that it is important to deepen economic cooperation.

Meeting with Dmitry Volvach

In addition, Volvach held a meeting with the de facto President, Alan Gagloyev. The meeting discussed prospects of socio-economic cooperation.  A delegation of the Ministry, chaired by Volvach, inspected the progress of works within the framework of the Russian-financed investment program. They visited and checked the rehabilitation of a bridge over the Liakhvi River and the construction of a camp “Mziugomi” which will accommodate 150 children.

Dmitry Medvedev about the War with Georgia

On April 24-26, a marathon – “Knowledge” was held in Moscow and other big cities of Russia. In addition to famous Russian people, Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary of the Russian President, Alexander Novak and other Russian high-ranking officials delivered lectures.

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, spoke to participants of the marathon. He recalled the years of his presidency and the war with Georgia. As Medvedev said, very important decision of his presidency was “to conduct a military operation in Georgia in order to force Georgia to peace.” He called the August 2008 events “the so-called Five-Day War” and said that it was a difficult, however correct decision. Medvedev also touched upon the decision of recognition the de facto republics of the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia and noted that this issue also required discussions, although the decisions made at that time including in the field of defense, “serve Russia today.”