Abkhazia's Bzhania Defends Ties with Russia Amid Funding Cuts, Criticizes Opposition
By Messenger Staff
Monday, September 23, 2024
De-facto Abkhaz leader Aslan Bzhania, during a September 19 interview with a local TV station, addressed relations with Moscow in light of recent funding cuts to the region by Russia. He criticized opponents of the 2014 "treaty on alliance and strategic partnership" with Russia and the agreements that followed.
Bzhania defended the August 19 protocol from his meeting with Russian Presidential Administration Deputy Head Dmitry Kozak, which called for Abkhazia to meet its obligations to Russia. He explained that after the protocol was issued, "A document was received from the Russian Federation, which states that [from September 1] co-financing of salaries of certain categories of state employees is suspended until the Abkhaz side fulfills the conditions laid down in agreements between Sokhumi and Moscow."
When asked if the cuts would impact Abkhazians, he acknowledged that "Suspension of the funding process will certainly affect a large number of citizens of Abkhazia - teachers, health care workers, cultural workers and many others." He added that the regional leadership "is engaged in solving this issue."
Bzhania attributed the funding cuts to Abkhazia's delays in implementing commitments to Moscow under the 2014 treaty. He explained that the treaty established a "qualitatively new level of interstate relations," including coordinated foreign policy, common defense, and a shared socio-economic area. He emphasized that "this agreement is in the interest of Abkhazia" and that the region "cannot avoid the implementation indefinitely."
He stressed, "Russia is our only strategic partner, so I am asking since when do we not trust the leadership of Russia?" and committed to implementing the treaty's provisions as they align with the interests of the Abkhaz people.
Bzhania also highlighted the "agreement on mutual recognition of arbitration court rulings," which he claimed would create opportunities for economic growth and investment. He acknowledged Abkhazia's economic struggles, specifically its difficulty in attracting investment.
He dismissed concerns about the risks posed by the agreement, noting that "We can only have investments from the Russian Federation, and an investor will come to the country if there are security conditions and guarantees for doing business." He pointed out that 90% of construction in the region is funded by joint Russian-Abkhaz companies.
Emphasizing the importance of relations with Russia, "which is our only strategic partner," Bzhania criticized those who claim "such agreements are allegedly not in the interests of the Abkhaz" and attributed these views to "dirty political fighting."
Despite the funding cuts, Bzhania downplayed any notion of a crisis with Russia, viewing the situation as minor obstacles.
He outlined the "very difficult circumstances" facing Abkhazia, referencing factors like Ukrainian calls for opposition forces in Georgia to stage a coup, attacks on Russian cities by Ukraine and its allies, and Abkhazia's ongoing conflict with Georgia, which seeks to reclaim Abkhaz territory.
He concluded by asserting that "the only force we rely on is the volition of people of Abkhazia and support of Russia," criticizing those who create tensions with Russia. He added that individuals who sow distrust should give up their Russian passports, and supported Russia's right to revoke the citizenship of those undermining inter-state relations.
