Publication: N25 / Review Period: October 1-31, 2024

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 the 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 interested in the developments that take place in the occupied regions of Georgia.

Meeting with Sergey Lavrov

On October 4, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, hosted the de facto Foreign Ministers of the occupied regions of Georgia.

Due to recent disagreements on certain issues (such as investments, apartments issues) between Russia and the occupied Abkhazia, the meeting was particularly important. The meeting was preceded by Russia's decision to partially cut funding to Abkhazia from September 1 due to non-fulfilment of some of the obligations of the de facto government. At the meeting, Abkhazia's de facto Foreign Minister, Sergey Shamba, emphasized the importance of strategic relations and said that 27 out of 45 projects for the harmonization of legislation have already been implemented. According to him, the domestic political situation is also difficult, there is a controversy, but ultimately, all will proceed  from the interests of the country, and therefore will fulfill all their obligations. It was Shamba's first meeting with Lavrov after being re-appointment as "minister.“

Unlike the meeting with Shamba, a meeting with the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Tskhinvali region, Akhsar Jioev, was less relevant. The meeting was of a more protocol nature where Lavrov made formulaic statements. In addition to the bilateral meeting, Lavrov also held a tripartite meeting and expressed his full support to the occupied regions.

Meeting Between Sergey Lavrov and Akhsar Jioev

UN Resolution and Occupied Regions’ Response

On October 11, 2024, in Geneva, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on the occupied territories of Georgia – „Cooperation with Georgia.“ A total of 24 council members supported the document. It should be noted that compared to the previous year, the number of supporters of the resolution has increased. For the first time, the resolution reflected the record of Russia's occupation of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions. In accordance with the 2021-2024 decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, the resolution talks about the responsibility of Russia as an effective control force for the occupation of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions and gross violations of human rights. The Human Rights Council expresseds serious concern about the facts of various types of discrimination and human rights violations against the ethnically Georgian population in the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. The resolution also talks about restricting the efforts of the power exercising effective control over the occupied territories in the activities of international organizations and restoring trust.

The occupied regions responded to the resolution. According to the de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, the UN resolution still uses formulaic, repetitive terms and significantly distorts the real picture on the ground and is absolutely politicized and biased. Sokhumi, on its part, accused the United Nations of ignoring the discrimination against the citizens of Abkhazia, which is manifested in restricting their freedom of movement. After the start of Russia's full-scale military aggression in Ukraine, Western countries imposed restrictions on Russian passports issued in the occupied regions, due to which residents of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region with Russian citizenship were restricted from traveling to Western countries.

According to the de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Tskhinvali region, the resolution contains biased theses which do not reflect the reality about the occupation of the so-called Georgian territories and human rights violations in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region.

Maria Zakharova's Briefing

On October 16, a representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, answered journalist's question about perspectives of the Georgian government's efforts to resolve the conflict in the Tskhinvali region and Russia's possible involvement in the process. As she stated „priorities for Russia remain unchanged. This is Tbilisi's adoption of a legally binding document on the non-use of force, as well as the start of the process of delimitation of the state borders (occupation line).“ According to Zakharova, Tbilisi's statement about apologizing for the 2008 war raises some hopes in this direction. Moscow is ready to support the process of normalization of relations, both bilaterally and multilaterally, she added.

Abkhazia

Zatulin's Visit

In connection with recent disagreements between Russia and the occupied Abkhazia, Konstantin Zatulin, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots of the Russian State Duma, visited Sokhumi on October 3. Zatulin met with representatives of the opposition, including former de facto president Raul Khajimba. Sergey Shamba and the Head of de facto Presidential Administration, Abesalom Kvarchia, also participated in the meeting. Zatulin noted that  in the last few months „a certain shadow has fallen over Abkhaz-Russian relations.“ Zatulin singled out several problematic issues: the unfounded phobia of some political groups who believe that the purchase of real estate by the Russians will lead to the Abkhazians finding themselves in a minority on their own land; opposing the legislation supporting Russian investments; Speculation on the topic of Abkhaz-Russian relations in the context of the struggle for power in Abkhazia. Zatulin openly stated that he understands the importance of the demographic issue for Abkhazians. Zatulin directly pointed out to the opposition that it is not desirable to use the issue of bilateral relations in the domestic political struggle.

Konstantin Zatulin's Meeting in Sokhumi

Signing of an Investment Agreement

On October 30, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy of Abkhazia, Kristina Ozgan, and the Minister of Economic Development of Russia, Maxim Reshetnikov, signed an investment agreement. The agreement provides for the implementation of investment projects on the territory of Abkhazia by Russian companies.

According to Reshetnikov, the agreement will promote the attraction of additional Russian investments to the economy of Abkhazia and will support the development of agriculture, processing industry, tourism, infrastructure. According to Ozgan, in the last four years, the amount of investments increased four times and amounted to RUB 11 billion.

The mentioned issue provokes criticism among the opponents of the de facto government of Abkhazia, since they believe the agreement will be harmful for Abkhazia. According to them, Russian investors will get an overly comfortable environment, which will harm local businesses. Since the agreement has not yet been ratified, Moscow practically imposed sanctions on Sokhumi and partially suspended funding to Abkhazia effective September 1. Russia accuses the de facto government of not fulfilling its obligations. The de facto parliament must ratify the agreement, and the opposition is already making harsh assessments in this regard. The opposition considers the uncontrolled influx of Russian investments as a threat to their „sovereignty.“

Signing of the Agreement

Sociological Study on Russian-Abkhaz Relations

A sociological study on the relations between Russia and Abkhazia was conducted in Abkhazia. The research was carried out by the Eurasian Cooperation Development Fund which was founded in 2012 and its main goal is to promote the idea of ​​creating a new integrative union in the post-Soviet space - the Eurasian Union. „The Russian-Abkhaz relations are an important component of the Caucasian system of international relations. Understanding the new political trends in these relations is important for maintaining stability in the region,“ the foundation's statement reads.

The research is connected with „the increasing number of publications with anti-Russian content in the information space in Abkhazia, and is intended to show an objective picture of what is happening.“ The research identified the opinions of Abkhaz citizens on various issues, including those related to the country’s security, its economic development and prospects for cooperation with Russia. According to the survey results, 93% of the respondents consider Russia as the main ally and friend, 76% support Aslan Bzhania's course on the expansion of the cooperation format with Russia, and 86% are sure that the development of Abkhazia is impossible without attracting investments. Probably, the study is aimed at giving legitimacy to Aslan Bzhania for making unpopular decisions (such as „laws“ on investments and apartments).

Energy Crisis and a Four-Hour Schedule

According to the General Director of Chernomorenergo, Timur Jinjolia, occupied Abkhazia will receive Russian electricity from November. Due to insufficient electricity, a four-hour schedule will be introduced in the occupied region until the New Year. Compared to the previous year, the consumption of electricity decreased by 115 million kWh, which is due to the installation of meters and increased payment discipline. In recent years, there is a constant energy crisis in Abkhazia, and electricity will be supplied according to the schedule.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Restriction of Movement on the Occupation Line 

According to the so-called State Security Service, on October 16, near the village of Otobai (Gali district), with the help of Russian border guards, an unmanned aerial vehicle Mavic 3 was forcibly landed using electronic warfare equipment. As per the statement, the UAV belongs to the leader of the anti-occupation movement, Davit Katsarava. The de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs assessed the incident as an open provocation. Sokhumi intends to review the issue at the next round of the Geneva International Discussions which will be held on November 5-6.

The UAV issue was discussed at a meeting of the so-called Security Council, where a decision was made on the temporary closure of the occupation line during the period of October 23-30. The decision is due to „possible provocation by radical forces against the backdrop of the October 26 parliamentary elections in Georgia.“ In connection with the elections, security measures were strengthened and special units of the security forces were deployed along the occupation line in the Gali district. Against the backdrop of ongoing political processes in Tbilisi, it is a common practice to restrict movement along the occupation line in the occupied regions. After the elections, the Secretary of the de facto Security Council, Raul Lolua, issued a statement, according to which the situation in the Gali district was calm before and during the elections and there were no incidents.

Working Meeting Between Representatives of Law Enforcement Agencies in the Occupied Gali

Film Screening in Hamburg

On October 29, as part of the presentation of the book „Eurasian Complex,“ a film about Abkhazia was screened in the Russian-German Trade Guild in the German city of Hamburg. The initiator of the presentation of the film was Wolfgang Matzke, who is a representative of the so-called Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Abkhazia in Germany. Matzke spoke to the guests of the event about the investment and tourism potential of Abkhazia. Abkhaz wine and adjika were presented at the buffet at the end of the event. Matzke is a lobbyist for the occupied Abkhazia in Germany and with the support of Russia participates in various events where he promotes the de facto republic of Abkhazia.

Film Presentation in Hamburg, Wolfgang Matzke on the Left

Tskhinvali Region

Elections in Georgia and Tskhinvali's Response

On October 23, the de facto President, Alan Gagloyev, held a meeting with heads of the so-called Law Enforcement Agencies. The meeting discussed the transition of the so-called Law Enforcement Agencies to an enhanced duty regime during the pre-election period in Georgia. „We are monitoring the information received from various special services. The situation in the bordering country is tense. There may be provocations against South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both, on the borders and inside the countries. That's why all of us should take special responsibility in fulfilling our duty during this period,“ Gagloyev noted. On October 25, the de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs switched to an enhanced mode of operation. Restricting movement on the occupation line is a common practice that is associated with politically active periods in Tbilisi.

Government Official’s Visit in the Tskhinvali Region

A canning factory was opened in the Tskhinvali village of Pris with the support of Russian private investors and the Russian government. The ceremonial opening of the factory was attended by Gagloyev and the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, Dmitry Volvach, who supervises the direction of the occupied regions. Volvach also visited the facilities whose construction is being carried out within the framework of the Russian-financed investment program promoting the socio-economic development of the region. Among the visited facilities was a factory of the Ir-Basalt company, which has not yet started production. Volvach is a frequent visitor to the occupied regions. He is responsible for the implementation of Russian-funded projects.

Dmitriy Volvach in the Tskhinvali Region

Meeting with Rashid Nurgaliyev

On October 15, as part of his visit to Moscow, Gagloyev met with the Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Rashid Nurgaliyev, who supervises the direction of the occupied regions of Georgia in the Council. The meeting discussed defense capability of the occupied region and regional security. As a rule, Gagloyev often meets with Nurgaliyev during his visits to Moscow, although little information is disseminated about their meetings in the media.

New Commission for Cooperation with the State Duma

On October 22, a newly elected de facto parliament of the Tskhinvali region approved a new composition of the permanent commission for cooperation with the Russian State Duma. The commission was established in September 2008 under the parliamentary cooperation agreement. Commission meetings are usually held twice a year, in Tskhinvali and Moscow. The co-chairman of the commission is the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Parliamentary Cooperation, Zaza Dryaev, who assessed the work of the commission as productive and constructive. Dryaev is a majoritarian „deputy“ of the occupied Akhalgori, and is believed to be „elected“ with the support of the ethnically Georgian population.