Official commentary by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia, head of the Abkhazian delegation to the International Discussions on Stability and Security in Transcaucasia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Odissei Bigvava on the statement by the Prime Minister of Georgia Iraklii Kobakhidze.
The statement by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mr. Kobakhidze, rejecting the possibility of signing an agreement on the non-use of force with the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of South Ossetia, is deeply destructive and confirms Tbilisi's unreadiness for a real dialogue.
We categorically reject Tbilisi's use of "occupation" and "separatist regions" terms.
Abkhazia is a sovereign state whose independence was the result of the free expression of will of the people after the Georgian-Abkhazian war of 1992-1993.
The Russian Federation acts as the guarantor of our security on the basis of interstate agreements, which complies with international law.
For decades, Georgia has been using the rhetoric of "peaceful restoration of territorial integrity", implying the violent return of Abkhazia. Let us recall that it was Tbilisi that unleashed the war in 1992, which led to a humanitarian disaster.
Today's statements by Kobakhidze are a continuation of the policy of revanchism enshrined in Georgian legislation (Article 3 of the Constitutional Law "On Occupied Territories").
The demand of Abkhazia and Russia for a legally binding document is a minimum guarantee of stability. Georgia's refusal to sign such an agreement proves that Tbilisi retains the use of force as a political instrument. This is confirmed by the militarization of border areas and regular joint exercises of the armed forces of Georgia and NATO.
The reason for the stagnation of the negotiations is not the position of Russia or Abkhazia, but Georgia's unwillingness to discuss the key issue: legally enshrined guarantees of non-aggression.
Tbilisi is blocking progress by demanding a discussion of the "return of refugees" without admitting responsibility for the ethnic cleansing of the 1990s.
The mention of "non-withdrawn troops" is a double standard. Russian military facilities in Abkhazia are deployed in terms of bilateral agreements and are a response to Georgia's aggressive policy. As for "international observers", their access is possible only after Tbilisi recognizes Abkhazia's sovereignty and ends the policy of isolating Abkhazia.
Kobakhidze's refusal to engage in dialogue with Sukhum and Tskhinval is evidence of the ineffectiveness of Georgian diplomacy. Peace in the Caucasus is impossible without direct negotiations between Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Georgia with the mediation of Russia. As long as Tbilisi denies reality and ignores historical lessons, no negotiations will have any prospects.
Kobakhidze's statement on the anniversary of Georgia's aggression against Tskhinval in August 2008, which brought grief to thousands of peaceful citizens of our brotherly South Ossetia, sounds blasphemous!
The Republic of Abkhazia remains open to constructive dialogue, but only based on mutual recognition and equality.