Publication: N13 / Review Period: October 1-31, 2023

The review is being prepared within the framework of the Roadmap to the Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region project. The purpose of the review is to provide readers with information about main events and trends in the occupied regions of Georgia. The review is a monthly publication and will be useful for decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people who are interested in the developments taking place in the occupied regions of Georgia.

Abkhazia

Meeting with Putin and Lavrov

On October 3, in Sochi, the de facto leaders of the occupied regions met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, and on the next day, October 4, they met  with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Lavrov first met with the de facto leader of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, and later with the de facto leader of the Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev. After the meeting, Lavrov and the de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Inal Ardzinba, signed a plan for consultations between diplomatic agencies for 2024-2025. Lavrov signed a similar plan with the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Tskhinvali region, Akhsar Jioev. The plan is a formal document defining the framework for cooperation in “foreign policy” between Moscow and the occupied regions, although, in reality, the “foreign policy” of Sokhumi and Tskhinvali depends only on Moscow's support.

Sergey Lavrov and Inal Ardzinba Sign the Consultation Plan

On October 4, unlike Lavrov, Putin hosted only Bzhania. The last bilateral meeting between Putin and Bzhania was held on November 12, 2020, which was followed by signing of an important document in the light of integration processes (Program for the formation of a single social and economic space between Russia and Abkhazia based on the harmonization of the legislation of Abkhazia with the legislation of Russia). General information about the meeting with Putin was released only after its completion. Afterwards, the Russian news portal Izvestya published an interview with Bzhania which voiced issues which were probably discussed during the meeting with Putin. In this regard, a loud announcement was the opening of the permanent base of the Russian Navy in Ochamchire.

Russian Military-Naval Fleet in Ochamchire

According to Bzhania, an agreement is already signed with Russia and a permanent base of the Russian Navy will be opened in the Ochamchire district shortly. “Despite the pragmatic policy of the current government leader, Irakli Gharibashvili, Tbilisi still has on its agenda the return of Abkhazia and South Ossetia using military force,” he added. On October 19, at a press conference, Bzhania confirmed the signing of the agreement. According to him, “ensuring stable peace is in the interest of all residents of Abkhazia, therefore the permanent base will be stationed in Ochamchire.”

On October 5, the de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on this issue. The statement stipulates that “participation in integration processes, including in the military sphere, is the sovereign right of the Republic of Abkhazia. The creation of the necessary infrastructure for material and technical support for the Russian naval base corresponds to the basic interests of our people and contributes to the strengthening of our security.”

The port of Ochamchire is located northwest of the city, in an artificially created bay between the Mokvi and Jukmuri rivers. According to the current data, the depth of the port has increased to nine meters and it can accommodate a total of ten patrol vessels (up to 10 Sobol and Mangust class patrol boats/Coast Guard Vessels are stationed in the port) on its southeast platform. In April 2009, an agreement was signed between Russia and Abkhazia on the protection of a common “state” border, and at the end of the same year, border patrol vessels of the Russian Federal Security Service has been stationed in the port, which are to ensure the maritime security of the occupied Abkhazia.

The issue of opening the Russian base in Ochamchire is noteworthy in light of the ongoing military aggression in Ukraine. Reportedly, part of the fleet has been transferred to the ports of Novorossiysk and Feodosia (located in Crimea). Considering that even these ports are vulnerable to Ukrainian long-range weapons, the port of Ochamchire can become a new safe wharf for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Although it is currently impossible to receive large ships there, the existing infrastructure of the port still allows Russia to conduct relatively small-scale tactical and special military and naval operations.

On October 24, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, also made a statement about the construction of the port in Ochamchire. As he said, Ukraine will not refrain from attacking Russian military ships in Abkhazia. According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia is trying to withdraw ships from Crimea and locate them in Novorossiysk, although it is impossible to place all warships there, so Russia is planning to use the port of Ochamchire where Russia has renewed the infrastructure.

Russian officials have not made any statement about the port. Main statements were made by experts and ex-servicemen. However, certain fears have already appeared in Abkhazia that the Ukrainian military will reach Ochamchire.

As per an assessment of the Democracy Research Institute, at the beginning of October, large-scale preparatory works began near the village of Pichori, 4 km from Anaklia, to ensure proper functioning of the military navy. According to the locals, the process of deploying radio-electronic combat systems is underway on the site which will be used against Ukrainian drones and missiles and will serve as a support function for the Ochamchire base.

Ochamchire Port in 2023 (Source: Google)

Who Will Restore Sokhumi Airport?

After a long uncertainty, the company was named which will restore the Sokhumi Airport. On October 27, an agreement was signed which provides for the complex reconstruction of the V. Ardzinba International Airport. The de facto government concluded an agreement with the Russian company – Infrastructure Development LLC. The owner of company is Rashid Nurgaliyev, the son of the Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, Rashid Nurgaliyev, who supervises the direction of the occupied regions. According to him, “Russian tourists' interest in the resorts of Abkhazia is increasing every year. The opening of the airport will allow tourists to arrive at the Abkhaz resorts quickly and comfortably.”

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recognizes the territorial integrity of Georgia and therefore does not recognize the Sokhumi Airport as an international airport. The ICAO has abolished the airport code since 2006. Despite the fact that international flights will not operate from Sokhumi, Moscow’s interest in reconstructing the airport can be explained by the sanctions imposed on Russia, which also imply restriction on flights from Russia to many destinations. Restoring the airport was Bzhania’s pre-election promise and will be considered as his success.

“Foreign Policy” Activities

• The issue of joining the Union State of Russia and Belarus has become more relevant recently. According to Bzhania, Abkhazia wants to participate in the ongoing integration processes on the territories of the post-Soviet countries and joining the Union State of Belarus and Russia “will be a new synergy, an opportunity for the development and rapprochement for ethnic groups, and a higher level of security.” As Ardzinba stated, Abkhazia supports the Union State which it can also join. Grounds are being created for the recognition of Abkhazia's independence by Minsk, he added. Abkhaz goods have already appeared on the Belarusian market, where Abkhaz wine, lemonade and water are sold. The trade house Abkhazia has also opened in Belarus. The construction of a large joint resort complex in Ochamchire district is also being considered.

• Sokhumi's optimism on the possible recognition of Abkhazia's independence by Minsk is due to the recently intensified relations with Belarus. On October 27, a representative delegation of the de facto government, including the de facto Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Health, Internal Affairs, Culture, and Emergency Situations, visited Minsk. Although the delegation met with the Chief of Staff of the Belarusian government, Konstantin Burak, a visit of such level indicates that Minsk is increasingly opening the door for representatives of Abkhazia's de facto government. Within the framework of the visit, the members of the Abkhaz delegation had meetings with representatives of profile agencies. In Minsk, Ardzinba also met with the Russian Ambassador, Boris Gryzlov.

Meeting in Minsk

• On October 19, a representative of the de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Germany, Khibla Amichba, organized an evening dedicated to Abkhazia. Christian Wipperfurth, an expert of the German Council on Foreign Relations, who is a member of the German-Russian Forum, also took part in the event.
• In October, the issue of Palestine was relevant in Abkhazia as well. According to Ardzinba, the USA prevented the establishment of diplomatic relations between Abkhazia and Palestine. According to him, they have a good dialogue with the Special Representative of the Palestinian President to Russia, as well as with the Palestinian Ambassador to Russia, however, representatives of the USA prevented the establishment of diplomatic relations. According to Ardzinba, a full-fledged Palestinian state should be created.
• Despite the support to the Palestinians, the de facto government refused to accept its refugees. According to the Secretary of the de facto Security Council, Sergei Shamba, Russian border guards prevented Palestinian refugees to illegally cross the Enguri crossing checkpoint. As he said, a total of 13 people attempted to cross the territory of Abkhazia in order to get to Russia. Shamba stated that the Georgian side told these people that on the other side of Enguri they would be in Russia. According to Shamba, the Palestinians were returned to Georgia through the mediation of international organizations. The current economic situation in Abkhazia does not allow for the reception of refugees, he added.
• There are personnel changes in the direction of “ambassadors.” As per Bzhania's decree, Abkhazia's “Ambassador” to Syria, Bagrat Khutaba, was appointed as the “Special Representative of the President for the Middle East Countries.” Khutaba also resigned from the post of the “Ambassador” to Syria. During his tenure, Khutaba was distinguishly active and met with diplomats of several UN member states operating in Syria. On October 31, Ali Mukhamad, who held the position of an adviser-envoy in the “Embassy,” was appointed in his post. Mukhamad is Syrian Circassian and returned to Abkhazia in 2013.

Request to Restore Gali Meetings

According to the de facto Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Irakli Tuzhba, Abkhazia has prepared a proposal on the restoration of the Gali meetings. The proposal will be discussed during a visit of the Co-Chairmen of the Geneva Discussions. Tuzhba considers the Gali meetings a very important format, part of the Geneva process and the so-called local security mechanism. As Tuzhba said, Sokhumi came out with the similar proposal in 2021, but the Georgian side has not shown any activity or desire on this issue for two years. The Gali meetings, unlike the Ergneti meetings, are no longer held since 2018, and recently Sokhumi has been particularly eager to restore them. Moscow also supports Sokhumi, although Tbilisi's position on the issue is still unknown.

Tskhinvali Region

Personnel Changes

There are significant personnel and structural changes in the Tskhinvali region. On the basis of the so-called Refugee Committee, the de facto Ministry of Labor and Social Protection was established. The functions of social security will be transferred from the de facto Ministry of Health and Social Development to the new “Ministry.” Oleg Gagloyev was appointed as the new “Minister” who left the post of a “minister” of Justice. A tourism development “agency” was formed as a separate committee. The mentioned changes were the promise of the de facto president, Alan Gagloyev, which he gave during his annual report to the “parliament” in May.

The positions of the Deputy Chairman of the Government – the Minister of Finance and the Deputy Chairman of the Government – the Minister of Justice emerged in the de facto government. Alan Jioev, who previously held the position of the Head of the Administration of the de facto President, was appointed to the position of the Deputy Chairman of the de facto government - the Minister of Finance. Jioev is a son-in-law of Arsen Gagloyev. Arsen Gagloyev, who currently holds a high position in Gazprom, is considered a “gray cardinal” in the Tskhinvali region. Allan Margiyev became a new de facto Head of the Presidential Administration. Previously he held the position of the Minister of Agriculture.

Dzambolat Tadtaev, who was previously the Deputy Chairman of the government – the Minister of Economic Development, was appointed as the de facto Deputy Chairman – the Minister of Finance. Kazbek Tsarikaev left the post of the Minister of Finance. Tsarikaev was the Minister of Finance in North Ossetia in the past and was appointed as the de facto Minister of Finance in the occupied region in April 2023. His recent appointment as “Minister” is believed to be connected with the deficit in the “budget” of the region.

Sarmat Kotaev, who was previously the Head of the de facto Government, was appointed as the de facto Minister of Economic Development. Kotaev will have to actively work with the Ministry of Economy of Russia and will be responsible for the implementation of Russian-funded projects.

There are also changes in the de facto parliament where chairmen of several committees have changed.

A new Head was appointed in the occupied Akhalgori district as well. Gagloyev personally introduced Murtaz Valiyev to the locals. Valiyev replaced Hilarion Gagiyev whose removal is also linked to the confrontation with his first deputy, Rezo Devidze (Devidze also resigned), and an MP of the district, Zaza Driaev. The mentioned persons are considered to be close to Gagloyev. Valiyev himself was a former militiaman and during the “presidency” of Leonid Tibilov, was the “Chief” of the criminal militia and later the de facto Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.

“Foreign Policy” Activities

• According to the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs, Akhsar Jioev, establishing contacts with the Union State is a priority direction. In this regard, Tskhinvali is more passive compared to Sokhumi. The only visit to Belarus took place on June 22, when a delegation from Tskhinvali took part in an event related to the Second World War.

• On October 18, in Moscow, Jioev met with the Secretary of State of the Union State, Dmitry Mezentsev. The meeting indicates that Tskhinvali, like Sokhumi, is trying to become more active in this direction.

• On October 20, in Moscow, Jioev met with the Nicaraguan Ambassador to the region, Alba Mejia.

• On October 27, Jioev met with the so-called representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Austria, Patrick Poppel. Poppel delivered a lecture on the importance of public diplomacy at the “State University” of South Ossetia. He is a supporter of the Kremlin policy and a lobbyist for the occupied regions in Austria.

Akhsar Jioev Meets with Patrick Poppel

Revealing “Spies”

According to the Head of the so-called Foreign Intelligence Service of the occupied Tskhinvali region, Aleksey Varziev, “more than 50 citizens of South Ossetia are suspected in cooperation with the Georgian Special Services.” As per his assessment, the Georgian side is establishing ties with the so-called civil activists and criminal structures. Varziev stated that despite the difficult geopolitical situation, active relations between representatives of Georgian non-governmental organizations and individual representatives of Ossetian society continue. The relations are aimed at causing dissidence in the Ossetian society and hindering the process of rapprochement with Russia. Similar accusations are often heard from the “Special Services” of the de facto republic, who “expose” civil activists and ethnic Georgians living in the occupied Akhalgori district as being connected with the Georgian “Special Services.” The purpose of such statements is to intimidate the population.

Patients from the Tskhinvali Region

According to the de facto Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development, Rodion Siukaev, the number of patients transported outside the region has decreased compared to the previous year. As he said, a total of 85 people needed emergency hospitalization in the “neighboring state.” The decision where the patient should be transported - to Russia or a “neighboring state” (meaning Georgia) is made depending on the patient's condition and specific case. This is a particularly sensitive topic in the occupied region since the de facto government negatively perceives the movement of the population of the region to the territory controlled by the Georgian authorities. As per their estimation, this is part of Tbilisi's “soft power” policy. The main challenge for Tskhinvali is that receiving health care services on the territory controlled by the Georgian authorities involves less bureaucracy and is more efficient than in the case of treatment in Tskhinvali or Russia.

Reconstruction of Kvemo Zaramagi

The de facto President, Alan Gagloyev, discussed the reconstruction of the Kvemo Zaramagi crossing checkpoint with a representative of the Russian Ministry of Transport, Mikhail Kokaev. If there are currently ten traffic lanes, after the reconstruction, 20 lanes are planned to be put into operation. According to Kokaev, the throughput capacity will increase four times for light cars, and 2-3 times for trucks. The project is aimed at allowing over 7,000 vehicles to cross the point without creating traffic jams. Currently, more than 1,500 vehicles, including 1,400 light vehicles, with over 5,000 people, cross the checkpoint. The project completion is planned in 2026.

The checkpoint is located on the main land route between the region and Russia, which runs through a difficult geographical region and is often congested, which is a challenge for the de facto authorities. The main object of criticism is the de facto president, one of whose “pre-election” promises was to solve the problem of traffic jams. This issue is the subject of internal political controversy, especially in light of the illegitimate elections planned for 2024. That is why the timely start of the project is also politically important for Gagloyev.