Tbilisi says Russia’s decision to fund Abkhazian army is illegal
By Tea Mariamidze
Wednesday, September 25
Official Tbilisi assesses the decision of the Russian Federation to allocate funds for the modernization of breakaway Abkhazian army as a continuation of Russia's annexation policy.
Georgia’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Vladimir Konstantinidi said that this decision is another illegal step made by Russia that serves to integrate the Georgian regions into the Russian political and military space.
“Georgia will use all available means to give a proper assessment and to stop Russia doing such things,” he stressed.
Konstantinidi said this decision is based on the so-called agreement between the Russian Federation and the occupation regime which is itself an illegitimate document.
“The international community does not tolerate occupation of the territories of Georgia and condemns similar steps of the Russian Federation,” he stated.
According to the Spokesperson, Georgia will give a proper response to this action.
“Georgia will use all available means to inform its partners, it will actively use international tribunes and formats, including the current UN General Assembly debate format, where world leaders are gathered to give proper assessment and also to halt such actions by Russia,” he said.
Irakli Beraia, Chairman of the Temporary Parliamentary Commission on Territorial Integrity and De-occupation says the decision of Russia is a provocative step from the occupation forces.
“Such steps serve to worsen the situation on the ground, aggravate the militarization situation, which is a general threat not only to us but to the region's entire security,” he stressed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered to sign an agreement on allocating funds for modernizing breakaway Abkhazia’s armed forces. An executive order was published on the legal information website.
“I order to accept the Russian government’s proposal on signing an Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Abkhazia on financing the expenses on modernizing the Armed Forces of the Republic of Abkhazia," the published document reads.
Russian media reports that the deal will be signed after talks between the Russian Defense and Foreign ministries with de facto Abkhazia.
The so-called memorandum envisages modernization of the whole army and advancing its ammunition. However, it has not been specified how much money will be spent on strengthening Russia's military positions in the occupied region.
Military cooperation between Russia and occupied Abkhazia was fully launched after Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states in the wake of August War 2008.
After the war, which left 20% of the Georgian territories occupied by Russia, Russia set up its military bases in these regions and deployed its troops there.
