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The “Foreign-Political” Activity of the Occupied Regions

2025 / 01 / 26

The "foreign policy" of the occupied regions is heavily reliant on Russia’s political, diplomatic, and logistical support. A formal agreement also establishes the legal framework for cooperation in foreign affairs between Moscow and the occupied regions. On October 3, 2023, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and the de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Inal Ardzinba, signed a “Plan of Consultations between the Diplomatic Agencies for 2024-2025.” A similar agreement was signed by Lavrov and Akhsar Jioev, the de facto Foreign Minister of the Tskhinvali region.

Abkhazia

Relations with Belarus

Meetings between the Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko, and the de facto President, Aslan Bzhania, in 2022 and 2023, had raised expectations that Belarus might recognize the independence of occupied Abkhazia. However, no significant political or diplomatic breakthroughs, nor any high-level meetings, took place in 2024. So far, Minsk appears to be resisting Moscow's pressure and continues to withhold recognition of the occupied regions' independence.

Notably, on October 13, 2024, the Belarusian Investigative Center released an investigative report revealing that, following Lukashenko’s visit to Abkhazia on September 28, 2022, a total of 20 hectares of land were transferred to a company (Zhemchuzhina 2010) under his control for a "major investment project." The project was intended to develop a sanatorium and resort complex in the village of Kindgi, in the Ochamchire district, on the Black Sea coast. However, according to the available information, no construction has taken place on the allocated land to date.

Latin and Central America

Abkhazian "diplomacy" has traditionally focused on fostering relations with Venezuela and Nicaragua, the two countries that recognize the independence of occupied Abkhazia. While Sokhumi seeks to maintain these ties, the relationship remains largely symbolic, with no notable progress in strengthening bilateral cooperation having been made. This stagnation is primarily due to the limited resources of both parties and the significant geographical distance separating them.

The Middle East – What is the Future of Relations with Syria?

In 2024, Abkhazian “diplomacy” focused primarily on Syria, although the future of bilateral relations became uncertain following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad on December 8. There is a strong likelihood that the new Syrian government may revoke its recognition of the occupied regions. Despite the largely symbolic nature of their relationship, which yielded no tangible results, Abkhazian "diplomatic" efforts in Syria were notably active throughout 2024. In January, a consular section was opened within the Abkhazian "embassy" in Syria, and on February 1, Muhammad Ali was appointed as the new Abkhaz “ambassador” to the country. Interestingly, the former “ambassador,” Bagrat Khutaba, openly criticized the de facto government, asserting that Sokhumi’s diplomatic engagement in the Middle East had significantly declined.

Muhammad Ali Presents Credentials to the Syrian Foreign Minister

In 2024, diplomatic activity involving Egypt and the United Arab Emirates remained minimal, yielding no tangible results. No official-level meetings or significant engagements took place during this period.

BRICS – A New Target

In 2024, a key focus of the “diplomacy” of occupied Abkhazia was the BRICS group, chaired by Russia that year. Abkhazia sought to leverage this opportunity to establish connections with BRICS member states. The most notable achievement was its participation in the BRICS Games held in Kazan, Russia, from June 12 to 23. This marked the first time representatives from the occupied regions participated in a sporting event of this scale under their own “flag.” While the competition itself was neither large-scale nor highly competitive, such events are often exploited by Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region for propaganda purposes.

Relations with North Korea

On February 20, the de facto Prime Minister, Alexander Ankvab, met with Yun Guk Nam, CEO of Mangenbon, the North Korean International Trade Corporation. The meeting focused on bilateral cooperation and the potential establishment of trade representations in Sokhumi and Pyongyang. The visit of the North Korean delegation is significant in the context of Russia’s ongoing military aggression in Ukraine, as North Korea has been supplying military equipment to Russia. This visit to Sokhumi reflects the broader rapprochement between Pyongyang and Moscow. However, no further progress in bilateral relations has been reported at this stage.

Alexander Ankvab Meets with the North Korean delegation

Relations with China

In 2024, Abkhazia’s so-called Honorary Consul in China, Ge Zhili, made multiple visits to the region. On March 12, he met with the de facto Foreign Minister, Inal Ardzinba, and on November 7, with the de facto Deputy Foreign Minister, Odyssey Bigvava. Ge Zhili regularly visits Abkhazia and actively works to promote and lobby for Abkhazian interests in China.

Inal Ardzinba Meets with Ge Zhili

Germany and Wolfgang Matzke

Wolfgang Matzke, a representative of the so-called Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia, remained active in Germany throughout 2024. On June 14, he held meetings in Potsdam with politicians, journalists, and business leaders from various German cities. On October 29, a film about Abkhazia was screened at the Russian-German Trade Guild in Hamburg as part of the presentation of the book The Eurasian Complex. The film presentation was initiated by Matzke himself. However, since the German government does not recognize Matzke’s official status, his activities are regarded as the actions of a private individual rather than those of a diplomat.

Wolfgang Matzke at the Event in Potsdam

The Tskhinvali Region

In terms of "foreign policy" activity, the Tskhinvali region has been notably more passive than Abkhazia, due to its limited resources and modest foreign policy objectives.

Relations with Belarus

According to Akhsar Jioev, the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs, the process of joining the Union State of Russia and Belarus is challenging in the current context. The authorities of occupied Abkhazia are more proactive in their relations with Belarus compared to those of the Tskhinvali region.

Nicaragua and the 45th Anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution

On July 19, 2024, the Tskhinvali region marked the 45th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua, with de facto Foreign Minister Akhsar Jioev attending the celebration. Nicaragua is one of the few UN member states that recognizes the independence of the occupied regions. It is worth noting, however, that unlike Abkhazia, foreign visits by representatives of the Tskhinvali region are relatively rare.

Akhsar Jioev Meets with Denis Moncada, the Foreign Minister of Nicaragua

A Chinese Company in Tskhinvali

On May 16, 2024, Konstantin Jusoev, the de facto Prime Minister of the occupied Tskhinvali region, hosted Wu Keguang, President of the Chinese company Fujian Tianrun Yongshun Supply Chain. The meeting focused on exploring potential areas of cooperation, particularly in tourism and mining, with special emphasis placed on the possibility of establishing automobile production in the Tskhinvali region. Earlier, in April, Wu Yinghui, a representative of another Chinese investment firm, Sabrina, visited the region. While it remains uncertain how feasible Chinese investments in the occupied region are at this stage, it is noteworthy that these visits coincide with a period of growing relations between Georgia and China.

Wu Keguang in Tskhinvali

Former Iranian Ambassador Visits Tskhinvali

On May 14, 2024, Alan Gagloyev, the de facto President of the occupied Tskhinvali region, hosted Seyed Mahmoud Reza Sajjad, the Director General of the Iranian Charitable Association for the Development of Science and Technology, in Tskhinvali. Sajjad visited the region accompanied by Albert Jusoev, a businessman of Ossetian origin working in Russia. During the visit, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Iranian organization and the de facto Ministry of Economic Development. Sajjad also held discussions with the de facto Prime Minister.

Sajjad, who served as Iran's ambassador to Russia from 2009 to 2013, expressed hope that he could assist in the economic and industrial development of the Tskhinvali region. This visit is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time a high-level Iranian official has visited the occupied region, potentially signaling a shift in Tehran's policy towards the occupied territories of Georgia.

Seyed Sajjad and Alan Gagloyev

 

Excerpt from Rondeli Foundation publication.

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