Comment by the head of the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia, Milana Tsvizhba, in connection with the statement of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar:
“The Georgian Dream of Toivo Klaar.
A recent statement by EU Special Representative Toivo Klaar revealed many facts indicating the failure of the policy of the collective West in the Republic of Abkhazia.
Mr. Klaar, declaring his commitment to the policy of “engagement without recognition,” openly and unvarnishedly confirms that international and Abkhazian NGOs are involved in the implementation of this policy, achieving its goals and objectives.
In order to implement the policy of “engagement without recognition,” the statement of the European functionary especially emphasizes the importance of stimulating dialogue between Abkhazians and Georgians “on both sides of the dividing lines.” We inform Mr. Klaar that these are not “dividing lines”, this is a state border.
We intend to work within the framework of the official platform of the Geneva International Discussions on security and stability in the Transcaucasus, and we count on achieving results in accordance with the principles of state sovereignty of the Republic of Abkhazia and equal dialogue.
As Mr. Klaar states himself, he visited the Republic of Abkhazia many times, but during all this time he apparently failed to understand our history. The theses voiced in his statement only once again confirm the falsity of the position of the collective West and the EU.
Mr. Klaar and the information structures he finances must understand that the capital of the sovereign Republic of Abkhazia is the city of Sukhum, and not “Sukhumi”. We demand not to use again this false and provocative toponym.
We also draw Mr. Klaar’s attention to the fact that the Republic of Abkhazia is not and cannot be a “victim” of a special military operation carried out by our main ally - the Russian Federation. The Republic of Abkhazia, our volunteers, together with their Russian brothers, are dealing a decisive blow to neo-Nazism, becoming the winners of this confrontation.
Mr. Klaar must understand that by openly declaring the financing of structures promoting the policy of “territorial integrity of Georgia,” he clearly exposes them to legal influence on the territory of the Republic of Abkhazia. European, American and Georgian functionaries need to realize: our doors are forever closed to those who consider us “occupied territory.”
It is noteworthy that Mr. Klaar allowed himself to say that limiting interaction with Western structures “will exacerbate the problems of Abkhazia.” Mr. Klaar, this is rather a threat against those who receive funding from you and, apparently, cannot justify it.
In general, I would venture to assume that Mr. Klaar was tongue lashed by senior leadership for the ineffective implementation of the policy of “engagement without recognition” and “restoration of the territorial integrity of Georgia.” Restricting funding to manipulate the people of sovereign Abkhazia is refreshing news for Mr. Klaar.
In an attempt to justify his financial support, Mr. Klaar revealed financial interactions with local Abkhazian NGOs, which he called “implementing partners on the ground.” They, in fact, perform the functions of foreign agents (including in accordance with the terminology of current US legislation).
At the end of his statement, expressing dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of “implementing partners on the ground,” Mr. Klaar emphasizes that continued funding will require “the necessary participation and openness.”
Mr. Klaar will be even more disappointed in the very near future. I do not rule out that, in connection with an attempt to violate the national interests of the Republic of Abkhazia, tomorrow there will be an official comment on this topic from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia Inal Ardzinba.”