Publication:  N58 / Review period:  October 1-31, 2023 / Author: Arsen Araqelov

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.

Meetings with Lavrov and Putin

On October 2, the de facto Foreign Ministries of the occupied Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region announced that the de facto leaders, Aslan Bzhania and Alan Gagloyev, would meet with the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, in Sochi. Sergey Lavrov met with representatives of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in a bilateral format on October 3.

During the meeting with Bzhania, Lavrov highlighted several important issues. Lavrov thanked Bzhania for supporting Russia's military aggression in Ukraine. The meeting also discussed the issue of restoration of the Sokhumi Airport and ratification of a legislation on dual citizenship which the Russian government ratified in June.

At the end of the meeting, Bzhania awarded Lavrov the so-called supreme state order of Akhdz Apsha, 1st degree, “for his great personal contribution to the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia.”

On the same day, October 3, Lavrov met with Gagloyev. He once again confirmed to Gagloyev that Russia provides security guarantees for the occupied region. The meeting also touched upon economic cooperation and the achieved results.

The meetings were also attended by the de facto Foreign Ministers of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, Inal Ardzinba and Akhsar Jioev. At both meetings, the so-called ministers signed a plan for consultations between diplomatic agencies for 2024-2025 with Russia.

Unlike Lavrov, Putin only hosted Bzhania on October 4. The previous meeting between Putin and Bzhania in a bilateral format was held on November 12, 2020, after which Russia and the de facto republic of Abkhazia signed an integration program in the socio-economic sphere. The media also wrote about Gagloyev's possible meeting with Putin, but this time the meeting did not take place. Gagloyev, as a president-elected, had only one face to face meeting with Putin, on March 16, 2023.

Information about the meeting with Putin was released only after its completion and covered only formal aspects and the progress in bilateral relations.

Permanent Base of the Russian Navy in Ochamchire

After the meeting between Putin and Bzhania, the Russian news portal Izvestiia published an interview with Bzhania. As reported during the interview, a permanent base for the Russian Navy will be established in the occupied Ochamchire. In the interview, Bzhania confirmed that an agreement has already been signed, which, he believes, will further increase the defense capability of the de facto republic.

Official Tbilisi responded to the said decision. The statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia noted that the decision “represents a gross violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia” and is “another provocative attempt to legitimize the illegal occupation.” Other public figures and Georgia's western partners also condemned the decision of the Russian government.

Rashid Nurgaliev's Son Will Restore the Sokhumi Airport

On October 27, between the de facto government of Abkhazia and Infrastructure Development LLC (Инфраструктурное Развитие) was signed an agreement on the reconstruction of the V. Ardzinba Sokhumi International Airport. The Ministry of Economy of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia and the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia announced a competition which selected the Infrastructure Development Russian company.

The owner of Infrastructure Development is Rashid Nurgaliyev, the son of the former Minister of Internal Affairs of Russia and the current Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, Rashid Nurgaliyev. Senior Nurgaliev is an influential civil servant in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region.

According to available information, technical flights from the Sokhumi Airport will start no later than July 2024, and the airport will be put in full operation from December 31, 2024. According to the de facto government, the reconstruction of the Sokhumi Airport will cost RUB 11 billion (approx. USD 118 million).

In the Abkhaz society, this news incites some fear and dissatisfaction, since the Infrastructure Development company does not meet any of the conditions of the competition and is related to the son of a high-ranking Russian official. The local population did not want to transfer the strategic facility to a foreign private investor as the resolution provides for a number of benefits for the investor. At the same time, they fear in Abkhazia that the reconstruction of the airport is an unprofitable project for the de facto republic, and the agreement with the investor will only lead to a negative economic effect.

Bzhania's Visit to Moscow

On October 7, Bzhania together with the de facto Deputy Prime Minister and the so-called Minister of Economy, Kristina Ozgan, visited the Russian Export Center, where he met with the General Director of the center, Veronika Nikishina. At the meeting, the parties signed a memorandum of understanding which provides for trade and economic cooperation between the de facto republic and Russia. Russian Export Center JSC actively cooperates with the occupied regions of Georgia.

“Interparliamentary” Memorandum

On October 9, the Chairman of the de facto parliament of the Tskhinvali region, Alan Alborov, and the Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, met in Moscow. At the meeting, the parties signed a memorandum that will “promote more active dialogue between MPs.”

The memorandum provides for the creation of an “inter-parliamentary” commission which will discuss issues of cooperation between the de facto republic and Russia. Alborov noted that previously, the parties did not properly use this format, which, he said, will be corrected.

Meeting with a Delegation of the Russian Federation Council

On October 13, the de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev, held a meeting with a delegation of the Russian Federation Council. The Russian delegation was headed by a member of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sergei Tsekov. The Russian “Ambassador” to the region, Marat Kulakhmetov, also participated in the meeting.

Much of the meeting was devoted to reviewing Russian military aggression in Ukraine and highlighted the importance of supporting the militants involved. In addition, the meeting discussed the issue of “dual citizenship” for residents of the occupied region. As Tsekov stated, reaching an agreement on citizenship is one of the key issues to be discussed. The agreement has been signed and ratified; only normative-legal issues remain unresolved, which should be completed by the end of the year, he believes.

Meeting with Denis Gonchar

On October 17, the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Tskhinvali region, Akhsar Jioev, met with the Director of the 4th CIS Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denis Gonchar, who oversees relations with the countries of the South Caucasus. Gonchar also supervises the direction of the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region.

The meeting discussed current issues of regional security and cooperation between Russia and the de facto republic.