Publication: N27 / Review period: March 1-31, 2021

Review of Kremlin Policy in Abkhazia and the 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.

New Government Official

On March 2, 2021, by a decree of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, Igor Maslov was appointed as the Head of the Directorate for Interregional Relations and Cultural Contacts with Foreign Countries at the Presidential Administration. The Directorate works in the direction of post-Soviet countries, and  was especially active in the direction of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in 2005-2013. Maslov replaced Vladimir Chernov. Maslov was Chernov's deputy and oversaw the direction of Moldova in recent years.

Visit to Russia

Bzhania Visits Russia for a Medical Examination

The de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, visited Russia for a medical examination. Allegedly, Bzhania was poisoned to remove him from the “presidential” elections in 2019. Bzhania survived; however, he needs to undergo periodic medical examinations. Bzhania also contracted a coronavirus infection three months ago.

Khristina Ozgan's Meetings in Moscow

In Moscow, the de facto Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Abkhazia, Kristina Ozgan, met with representatives of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, the Russian Ministry of Energy and the Federal Air Transport Agency. A number of important issues were discussed at the meetings: the implementation of the Russian investment program in Abkhazia, the formation of a common socio-economic space between the parties, gasification of Abkhazia, concessional lending program, modernization of the Abkhazian energy sector and electricity supply from Russia to Abkhazia. Amid the pandemic and energy crisis, it is especially important for Abkhazia to receive financial assistance and uninterrupted electricity from Russia. Ozgan's frequent visits to Moscow are also aimed at timely receiving assistance from Russia.

Abkhazia Requests Loan Restructuring

In Moscow, the de facto Vice Prime Minister of Abkhazia and Minister of Finance, Vladimir Delba, met with the Deputy Minister of Finance of Russia, Timur Maksimov. The parties discussed the issue of restructuring the loan allocated under the Russian-Abkhazian intergovernmental agreement of December 24, 2010, for the restoration and development of the Abkhazian railway. The loan was not properly used, however, the Russian side demands payment of the loan according to the schedule.

Military Exercises

Military exercises at the 7th military base in Abkhazia

• Motorized infantry and artillerymen carried out exercises in defensive and offensive warfare at the Tsebelda military training ground. The servicemen successfully repelled an attack of a conditional enemy using standard weapons.
• More than 50 servicewomen of the military base completed standards in throwing grenade launchers.

Other News from the 7th Military Base

• Servicewomen and female civilian personnel of the military base were congratulated on International Women's Day. More than 100 female soldiers serve at the military base.

Military Exercises at the 4th military base in the Tskhinvali Region

• Motorized infantry and tankmen carried out tactical exercises at the Dzartsemi military training ground. Reconnaissance units also exercised.
• As part of bilateral exercises, a tactical air assault force landed at the military base.

Other News from the 4th Military Base

• Chefs of the military base participated in a Field Kitchen competition. The competition is the second stage of the 7th International Army Games (Army-2021) and was held in North Ossetia.

A detailed review of the activities of the Russian Military forces in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in March 2021 can be found here.

Coordination of Foreign Policy

Abkhazia and Russia Adopted a Consultation Plan for 2021-2022

A meeting between the de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Daur Kove, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, was held in Moscow. At the meeting the parties signed a consultation plan for 2021-2022. The plan would facilitate “systematic, rational, and effective interaction” between Sokhumi and Moscow, said Lavrov.

Next Round of the Geneva Discussions

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Andrey Rudenko, met with the Plenipotentiary Representative of the de facto President of the Tskhinvali Region, Murat Jioev, and the de facto Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, Irakli Tuzhba. The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate their positions for the 52nd round of the Geneva International Discussions on Security and Stability in the Transcaucasia. The 52nd round was held on March 25-26, 2021. Rudenko also participated in the meeting. He said that the summit did not lead to a “big breakthrough,” however, the dialogue should be continued.

Abkhaz Delegation in Geneva. Source:  Web-page of the de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia.

Cooperation in the Field of the Economy

In Anticipation of Tourists

The de facto Ministry of Tourism of Abkhazia participated in the 27th International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (MITT) which took place on March 16-18. The delegation from Abkhazia was headed by the de facto Minister of Tourism, Teimuraz Khishba. Abkhazia anticipates a total of 1.5 million tourists in the summer of 2021.

Zero Taxation for Investors in the Tskhinvali Region

The “parliament” of the Tskhinvali region approved amendments to the Tax Code. The changes provide for zero taxation for foreign investors in the Tskhinvali region. Initiators of the changes hope that this will attract Russian investors, encourage local entrepreneurs, and eliminate attempts to evade taxes.

“Russian Budget” of the Tskhinvali Region

The 2021 “budget” of the Tskhinvali region amounts to RUB 7.739 billion. 81.7% of this amount will be Russian financial aid, the remained 18.3 % - will be the revenues of the Tskhinvali region and will equal to RUB 1.414 billion. The Russian financial aid will be allocated in two directions: the socio-economic development (about RUB 4.973 billion) and the implementation of the investment program (RUB 1.350 billion).

In Anticipation of the Russian Vaccine

The Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia are expecting to receive the Russian vaccine (the Sputnik V or the EpiVacCorona). The Tskhinvali region hopes to receive a batch of 1500 doses of the vaccine, while Abkhazia applied to Russia with a request to provide 100 thousand doses of the vaccine last year.

Branch of the Zenit Football Academy in Abkhazia

On March 27, a branch of the Youth Academy of the Zenit Russian Football Club (owned by Gazprom) was solemnly opened in the Sokhumi Philharmonic Hall. The de facto President, Aslan Bzhania, and the Zenit representatives attended the event. Footballers of the Zenit Football Club were training in Abkhazia from March 19-31. Recently, visits of representatives of the Russian sports community to Abkhazia, who consider Abkhazia as a preparation base for various tournaments, have become more frequent.

Solemn Event. Source:  apsadgil.info

Cooperation with the Separatist Regions of Ukraine

The Chairmen of the de facto Public Chambers of the Tskhinvali region and Luhansk, Sergey Kudziev and Alexey Kariakin, signed an agreement on cooperation. A delegation of the unrecognized Luhansk Republic visited the Tskhinvali region on March 25-27. The Tskhinvali region is particularly active in its relations with the separatist regions of Ukraine. This is not a coincidence, as Russia, to avoid Western sanctions, uses the Tskhinvali region as an intermediate link to provide assistance to the so-called People's Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk.

Russian “Soft Power”

Documentary Films about the Great Patriotic War were Premiered in Abkhazia

On March 3, five documentaries about the Great Patriotic War were premiered in Abkhazia. The My War project consists of five documentary films featuring storys of five veterans of the Great Patriotic War, each film tells a story of one veteran. The project was funded by the Department of External Economic and International Relations of Moscow.

RFBR Finances Ten Projects from the Tskhinvali Region

Representatives of the Tskhinvali region are  among the winners of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) grant competition. A total of ten projects from the Tskhinvali region were funded. The projects address a variety of topics, including food security, intercultural communication in the post-Soviet space, etc.

Tskhinvali Celebrates Maslinitsa

The Tskhinvali region celebrated the Maslinitsa Russian holiday, the farewell to winter and the greeting of spring. This year, the Maslenitsa week was celebrated from March 8 to 14. The event was held at the Rossotrudnichestvo office in the Tskhinvali region.

Pushkin Ball in Tskhinvali

On March 23, on the World Poetry Day, the Pushkin Ball was held in the Tskhinvali N6 school. The event was organized with the support of the Russkiy Mir Foundation centre.