Abkhazia’s, Russia’s MIA signed agreements on cooperation in border regions, legal support

Ministries of Internal Affairs of Russia and Abkhazia make their cooperation in the border regions in some areas of law-enforcement activity more active. This is provided by the cooperation agreement between the law-enforcement bodies signed today in Moscow by the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation Rashid Nurgaliev and his Abkhaz colleague Leonid Dzyapshba.
 

Besides, one more agreement, on cooperation in the sphere of legal support, has been signed.
 

"I am sure that implementation of these documents will make it possible to increase the efficiency of interaction between our ministries and to stabilize the criminal situation at the two countries’ borders", Nurgaliev said. Besides, he emphasized, the documents will help "arrange regular exchange of legislative and other standard acts, information and analytical materials and reference sources on the national legislation practice".
 

Nurgaliev highly assessed the cooperation between Ministries of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation and Abkhazia, by emphasizing that "a good algorithm of joint actions in the sphere of protection of rights and freedoms of citizens has been recently elaborated, there is a potential in cooperation development". "These are the heads of our states who have aimed our ministries at such concrete practical work", the Russia’s MIA head added.
 

He said two more agreements with the Abkhazia’s MIA - on joint struggle against motor transport larceny and the provision of pensions and state insurance to the law-enforcement bodies’ employees are to be concluded in the near future.
 

Speaking about the guidelines of joint interaction, Nurgaliev pointed to the creation of bilateral operative groups and the exchange of operative and statistical information, the rendering of methodological and practical aid to Abkhaz colleagues, as well as the conduct of joint operations aimed at detecting militant, organized extremist-oriented groups.
 

In turn Leonid Dzyapshba expressed confidence that the agreements signed today "will contribute to the improvement of situation in the border regions and will favor the strengthening of interaction between the two ministries in all areas".

12.24.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

 680 census areas, 152 instructor areas and 35 census departments created all over Abkhazia on population census's threshold

680 areas, 152 instructor areas and 35 census departments have been created all over Abkhazia on the threshold of the population census scheduled for February, 2011, Zoya Avidzba, the State Statistics Department head told the Abkhaz television.

“All our districts, cities and villages have been divided into census areas. Then, according to the established procedures, census areas have been united into instructor areas, and instructor areas into census departments. In accordance with the census zoning, census-takers' bags with all necessary documentation have been completed”,  Avidzba said.
 

Besides, according to the Gosstat chief, 40 stationary census stations will be created. There census-takers will be ready to receive people who, for different reasons, could not take part in the census at home – either they were not found at home, or they did not want to  let a census-taker in.
 

“For the first time when taking a census we use this scheme to cover all the population”, Zoya Avidzba emphasized.
 

The first stage of the census began in late September in the Sukhum and Gulripsha district settlements difficult of access, in particular in the village of  Pskhu and Kodori valley. The population census in the Kodori valley has been taken for the first time during the post-war time.
 

The census will be taken from February 21 through February 28, 2011.

12.23.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

 President received Turkey's Abkhaz diaspora representatives engaged in construction business

Today President Sergey Bagapsh has received representatives of the Turkey’s Abkhaz Diaspora engaged in construction business in the cities of Adapazari, Izmir and Duzce - Aluk Tsugba, Emir Zhiba, Ezgur Argun and Chaataya Khvatysh.
 

Businessmen, representing the leading construction companies from Turkey, expressed readiness to support their historical Motherland in the sphere of construction. “We have all possibilities both financial and technical for this”, Aluk Tsugba said at the meeting with the President.
 

Representatives of construction firms presented to the President a booklet with the properties they have built in Turkey.      
 

Welcoming the guests, Sergey Bagapsh said a state cannot develop without economy. “Our country’s independence was recognized two years and a half ago. And now we need serious work of both the citizens of Abkhazia living here, and the Abkhaz, being beyond the bounds of their Motherland”, the President said.
 

The President emphasized that the Russian Federation renders much aid and support to Abkhazia. “Russia renders free aid of RUB 11 bln. to Abkhazia. On these funds we restore roads, we build kindergartens, we repair schools, hospitals, we put the water and power supply systems in order. In the first place we need to restore this infrastructure to begin construction work”, the President said.
 

The head of state briefed on the planned large-scale work on rehabilitating the railway and the airport, building a road connecting Abkhazia and Karachay-Cherkessia, supplying Abkhazia with gas. According to Bagapsh, there’s also much to do in agriculture. He suggested that businessmen should decide, what specific areas they would like to work in. “If there is a wish to build a factory, a plant, to be engaged in agriculture –no problem”, Bagapsh said.
 

Speaking about the Turkish-Abkhaz relations, Sergey Bagapsh said he understands the position of Turkey, which is a NATO power. “And, nevertheless, Turkey is our nearest neighbor, some day mutual relations between our countries will be established anyway”, the President said.
 

A MP Taali Khvatysh, who accompanied the delegation, said he had returned to his Motherland 10 years before and he was not sorry about it. “I believe that every Abkhaz wherever he is, should think of how to return here and to help restore the country’s economy”, he said.

12.23.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

 Discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia were held in a new atmosphere, but the parties failed to use it – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Karasin

Statements of presidents of Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia on their intention not to use force against each other "have created a new atmosphere" at the Geneva discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia, the head of the Russian delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said today, summing up the 14th round of consultations held today. Participating on an equal footing in them are the delegations of the Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, the Russian Federation, the United States, the Republic of South Ossetia, as well as representatives of the EU, UN and OSCE.
 

Karasin admitted the parties failed to use this atmosphere to the full, however “the fact that appeals to assume unilateral obligations thus have been actually realized, is evidence of the fact that the Geneva discussions is a tool useful enough for discussing issues with the direct participation of Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia”.
 

“It is important that presidents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia voiced responsible obligations on the non-use of force in their statements , first of all, and, secondly, expressed the wish to build equal relations with Tbilisi”, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation emphasized. “This is an extremely important prerequisite for the development of stable future for all the nations living in this region”.
 

The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili declared in late November, addressing  the EuroParliament in Strasbourg, that Tbilisi would not use force to settle conflicts on the South Caucasus. “We are interested in the beginning of serious negotiations with the Russian leadership”, he said. “Georgia expresses its unilateral initiative to never use force for restoring its territorial integrity in spite of the fact that now almost 20% of the country is occupied by the Russian troops”. As he said, “Tbilisi is ready for an all-round dialogue with the Russian partners”. In response heads of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Sergey Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoity made official statements that they would not use force against Georgia in compliance with the standards of international law.

At the same time Karasin  said regretfully the discussion is worsened by the Tbilisi's desire to carry on negotiations on the force non-use not with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but with Russia.
 

“Our Georgian partners do not want persistently to take the platform of serious, business-like, equal dialogue on practical problems with Tskhinval and Sukhum. And this stubbornness leads to the fact that the discussion constructive enough gets now and again in an emotional spin. This has also happened  this time”, Karasin said. The Russian diplomat called this position “absolutely non-constructive”, as Tbilisi needs to build relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia taking into account that “they have reaffirmed today that they are ready to develop normal relations with Tbilisi”.
 

Discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia have been held for more than two years on the basis of arrangements of presidents of Russia and France, reached after tragical August, 2008 events in South Ossetia. Discussions are traditionally held in a format of two working groups - on security issues and humanitarian subjects. The next round is scheduled for March, 2011.

12.18.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

 At the Geneva discussions there is progress in solving some humanitarian problems in Transcaucasia - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Karasin

At the Geneva discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia there is progress in solving  some humanitarian problems, the head of the Russian delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin told ITAR-TASS, summing the 14th round of consultations held today. Participating on an equal footing in them are the delegations of the Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, the Russian Federation, the United States, the Republic of South Ossetia, as well as representatives of the EU, UN and OSCE.

According to Karasin, in the humanitarian group there was “an exchange of views on specific economic and humanitarian projects; problems of refugees, humanitarian aid, projects in social and economic spheres were discussed”. “It seems - what needs to be checked — that there are real results of discussing gas and water supply problems that would earlier get stuck at the stage of  general discussions”, he said.

According to the Russian diplomat, it was noted at the discussions that "the overall situation in the border zones remains stable". "It is interesting that 385,000 people and 20,000 vehicles crossed the Georgian-Abkhaz border, and 251,000 people and 44,000 vehicles the Georgian-South Ossetian border. It indicates that, despite all obstacles put by the Georgian party, contacts between people, border crossing, normal life in these zones continue", he said.

Deputy Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation added that “burning issues of confidence-building measures that could promote reaching stability in the region” were discussed, and admitted that "there is certain positive progress". In particular, the Russian diplomat said, the Mechanism on incidents prevention and response on the Georgian-South Ossetian border has resumed its activities. "They have been actually inactive for a year and literally on the eve of the discussions resumed their work”, Karasin said.

Discussions on security and stability issues in Transcaucasia have been held for more than two years on the basis of arrangements of presidents of Russia and France, reached after tragical August, 2008 events in South Ossetia. The 15th round is scheduled for March 4, 2011.

12.16.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, The republic of Abkhazia will press for the UN to register Georgian refugees on its territory at security talks in Geneva, the delegation's chief Vyacheslav Chirikba said on Wednesday.

The 14th round of the Geneva talks, which aim to adopt a non-aggression treaty to ensure security in the South Caucasus, will be held in Switzerland on December 16.

The talks began in October 2008 following the Russian-Georgian war, which began when Georgia attacked the republic of South Ossetia in an attempt to bring it back under central control.

Abkhazia declared independence from Georgia in 1999 and allowed tens of thousands of Georgian refugees to settle in its eastern Gal region.

Georgia has repeatedly blocked attempts by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to register up to 60,000 refugees in Abkhazia.

15.12.2010  RIA Novosti

Sukhum, Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh has informed the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby, about his intention to start the creation of a full-scale border infrastructure along the Inguri River in the near future.

Both Georgia and Abkhazia have troops deployed along the river since the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict in the early 1990s, and Russia also has peacekeepers there.

"The atmosphere that has been created lately around the Georgian-Abkhaz settlement amid the reaction of European political structures and the U.S. Senate to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's declarations forces Abkhazia to significantly correct its position," Bagapsh was quoted by the local Apsnypress news agency as saying.

Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two weeks after a five-day war with Georgia over the latter in August 2008. The war began after Georgia attacked South Ossetia in an attempt to bring it back under central control.

Venezuela, Nicaragua and the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru are the only countries to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia's independence.

"We see politically premature, agenda-driven actions of European structures aimed at supporting Georgia, despite tragic events that the Georgian side is guilty of," the Abkhaz president said.

Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili voiced his peace initiative in a speech to the European Parliament in late November, saying that Tbilisi would "never use force to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty and will only use peaceful means to ensure the withdrawal of the occupation forces and its reunification."

Bagapsh was quoted as saying Sukhum will not trust any peace declaration coming from Tbilisi until the Georgian president expresses his strong readiness to sign an agreement on the non-renewal of military actions under international guarantees.

The Georgian side earlier said it was ready to sign such agreements with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but also demanded international guarantees that there will be no aggression from the republics.

A new round of discussions on security in the South Caucasus involving Georgia, Russia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia and backed by the UN, the EU and the OSCE will take place in Geneva on Thursday.

15.12.2010  RIA Novosti

 EU, OSCE, UN co-chairmen at the Geneva discussions have negotiated the agenda of the 14th round of Geneva discussions

Sukhum, Today in Sukhum the EU, OSCE, and UN co-chairmen at the Geneva discussions have negotiated the agenda of the 14th round of Geneva discussions on security in Transcaucasia scheduled for December 16.

The RA MFA International Department head Lana Agrba told Apsnypress that during the meeting the participants discussed the agenda of both working groups - on security and refugees’ problems.

The delegation of Abkhazia at the 14th round will be headed, as before, by the presidential plenipotentiary at negotiations Vyacheslav Chirikba.

The delegation also includes the MFA International Department head Lana Agrba, a former deputy Defense Minister Garri Kupalba, and a member of the Executive Committee of International Association of Abkhaz-Abaz People Zeki Kapba.

12.10.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia
 

 Date for local elections scheduled

Sukhum, Today President Sergey Bagapsh signed a Decree scheduling the date for local elections. The elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 12, 2011.

According to article 5 of the law of the Republic of Abkhazia “About local elections” elections of deputies of city, district, and city in a district, settlement, and village assemblies are held simultaneously and scheduled not later than two months before the expiration of the term of office of local authorities.

City, district, and city in a district, settlement, and village election commissions are formed by appropriate local authorities not later than on the tenth day after the date for elections has been scheduled. Nomination of candidates begins 40 days before and finishes 20 days before the elections.

12.10.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

Dominican Republic MPs support the establishment of friendly relations with Abkhazia

Sukhum, Dominican Republic MPs support the establishment of friendly relations with Abkhazia, this country’s MPs Francisco Matos and Ramon Fernandez said today in Sukhum at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Abkhazia Sergey Shamba.

The Dominican Parliament representatives pay an introductory visit to Abkhazia.

Prime Minister Sergey Shamba said Abkhazia has mutual understanding with a number of Latin American countries, our political views coincide, and we have much in common in perceiving the world around.

Shamba emphasized Abkhazia has a special attitude to such leaders of the Latin American region, as Hugo Chavez, Daniel Ortega who recognized Abkhazia after the Russian Federation.

Shamba said representatives of Abkhazia have also visited other Latin American countries where they were given a hearty welcome. “Our representatives have visited Latin American countries where they met understanding. Therefore, you are not just visitors from this region, but people spiritually close to us”, the Prime Minister stressed.

The Dominican Republic MPs thanked the Abkhaz leadership for a warm welcome and informed that they have discussed the issues of establishing cooperation between Abkhazia and the Dominican Republic at a meeting with the Foreign Minister Maxim Gunjia and Speaker of the Parliament Nugzar Ashuba.

Deputies invited Prime Minister Sergey Shamba to pay a visit to their country. “We are waiting from the Abkhaz party for the exact date of the Abkhaz leadership’s visit to the Dominican Republic. We have much in common, tourist business is actively developed in our country”, Dominican deputy Francisco Matos said at a meeting with Shamba.

12.10.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

 Prospects of cooperation between Abkhazia and the Dominican Republic discussed at meeting with Maxim Gunjia, Dominican Republic MPs

Sukhum, Prospects of cooperation between Abkhazia and the Dominican Republic in different spheres were discussed by the Dominican Republic MPs Ramon Fernandez and Francisco Matos at their meeting with the Foreign Minister of Abkhazia Maxim Gunjia.

Telling about their impressions of Abkhazia, deputies pointed to the beauty and the latent potential the republic possesses. They also emphasized the two countries have much in common and the circle of possible cooperation in future is very wide, a spokesperson for the RA MFA said.

Maxim Gunjia told the guests about the history of Abkhazia, the national-liberation movement, the current social and economic situation in the region.

The Minister emphasized Latin American countries are very close to Abkhazia spiritually, and Abkhazia develops the closest and most friendly relations exactly with those countries.

MPs thanked the Minister for the invitation and in response invited a delegation from Abkhazia to pay a visit to the Dominican Republic for establishing inter-parliamentary ties.

12.10.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia
 

Tskhinval, The President of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity accepted credentials of the Ambassador of the Republic of Abkhazia to the Republic of South Ossetia Nodar Pliev.

At the credentials presentation ceremony Eduard Kokoity wished the Abkhaz diplomat success in his work, the http://osinform.ru/ site says.

“You have been entrusted with an important and high mission. Our nations are united by a common historic destiny, they have gone a long and difficult way to independence and recognition of sovereignty”, Kokoity said. “Owing to the recognition by the Russian Federation South Ossetia and Abkhazia live a new life. Our nations have the possibility to build, create and live peacefully. And we should show the whole world that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are not casual state formations”.

Eduard Kokoity expressed confidence that today's ceremony will give renewed impetus to the strengthening of friendship between the two states, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

In turn, Nodar Pliev assured the President, he will do everything to justify the leadership and the people of Abkhazia’s confidence.

“The Abkhaz and Ossetian nations hold the same views in accomplishing the tasks facing them. I will do all I can to strengthen friendship and cooperation between our nations”, the Ambassador declared.

Diplomatic relations between South Ossetia and Abkhazia were established on September 26, 2007. On that day the Ambassador of the Republic of South Ossetia to the Republic of Abkhazia Robert Kokoev presented his credentials to the President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh.

12.10.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

 Sergey Bagapsh left for Krasnodar

Sukhum, This morning the President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh has left for Krasnodar to attend the funeral ceremony in connection with the death of the Krasnodar territory vice-governor Murat Kazbekovich Akhedzhak.

12.09.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

 Abkhazia’s president sent telegram of condolence to Krasnodar territory leadership over vice-governor  Murat Akhejak's death

Sukhum, The telegram sent to the territory Governor Alexander Tkachev reads, in part:

“Dear Alexander Nikolaevich, I have perceived the sad news about the untimely death of the Krasnodar territory vice-governor Murat Kazbekovich Akhedzhak as a personal loss.

A brilliant state employee, a responsible administrator and a large-scale personality, Murat Kazbekovich was a sincere friend and a consistent assistant to Abkhazia. We highly appreciate his personal efforts in the all-round strengthening of relations between the Krasnodar territory and the Republic of Abkhazia in very different, at time hard times. An Adyghe by birth, he was a true internationalist and a true son of Kuban. We were tied by personal friendship what makes the weight of loss more acute.

We grieve together with the Kuban residents. I offer my sincere condolences to the leadership of the Krasnodar territory, Murat Kazbekovich’s family. We will keep fond memories of him in our hearts”.

12.08.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

Tskhinval, Tskhinval plans to discuss Tbilisi's non-use of force commitment and bring up the issue of refugees and international observers during talks on December 16 in Geneva, South Ossetia presidential envoy Boris Chochiev said on Wednesday.

"We hope for progress during the forthcoming round of talks," Chochiev said in a statement.

The Geneva discussions on security in the South Caucasus are backed by the UN, the EU and the OSCE and involve Georgia, Russia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. They were first held in October 2008, following a five-day war between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia in August.

Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili voiced his peace initiative in a speech to the European Parliament in late November, saying that Tbilisi would "never use force to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty and will only use peaceful means to ensure the withdrawal of the occupation forces and its reunification."

However, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed doubts over the statement saying that any "solemn promises" made by the Georgian leadership could only be taken seriously after they are put on paper and come into legal force.

South Ossetian authorities said some 1,500 people became victims of the August conflict with Georgia. A total of 162 citizens of the republic were confirmed as dead and 67 Russian servicemen were killed.

Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia two weeks after the August 2008 war. The decision was slammed by Western powers. So far, only Venezuela, Nicaragua and the tiny island nation of Nauru have recognized the two former Georgian republics' independence.

12.08.2010  RIA Novosti

 RF border guard department in Abkhazia prevents bringing in of drugs to Gal district

Gal, Near the village of Otobaya, Gal district, a border guard detail has detained a Mazda with five unknown persons without identity papers, and documents giving the right of residence in the border zone.

During the vehicle examination a cargo prohibited to a free civil circulation packed in polyethylene sacks was discovered. Supposedly those sacks contain phytogenic narcotic substance. The total weight made 64 gr.

All the arrested and the vehicle with the cargo were handed over to the Gal district department of the State Security Service of Abkhazia for conducting investigatory actions.

12.07.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

Moscow, Russia praises the statements made by the presidents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia that the Caucasian republics are ready to assume commitments on the non-use of force against Georgia, a diplomatic source in the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

“We welcome the position taken by Abkhazian and South Ossetian partners. We believe that it gives an opportunity to settle the vital problem discussed at the Geneva consultations on stability and security in the Transcaucasia – to fix in the full legal form the regime of non-use of force between Tbilisi and Tskhinval, Tbilisi and Sukhum,” the diplomatic source said.

On Monday, Sergei Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoity have made official statements that they will not use the force or a threat of force against Georgia under the international law. These commitments were assumed in the wake of the recent statement of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in the European Parliament, where he stated that he will never use the force “to restore the territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

12.07.2010  Itar-Tass

 Abkhazia cannot trust Saakashvili's declarations - President Bagapsh

Sukhum, Today at a meeting with journalists the President of Abkhazia made a statement regarding the declarations voiced by Saakashvili in the European Parliament and some of the Georgian initiatives.

Sergey Bagapsh's statement reads, in part: “The Abkhaz party has already given an evaluation of the statements  made by Saakashvili in the European Parliament this November. Today I want to repeat once again: we cannot trust such declarations after all the circumstances in the Georgian-Abkhaz relations known to everyone, large-scale hostilities and operations against Abkhazia.

"Peaceful" statements of the Georgian leadership against the background of aggressive actions on humanitarian and economic blockade of Abkhazia, its numerous attempts to block sea space, which we use for humanitarian purposes solely, look especially cynical.

The wordings voiced by the Georgian President convince us again that as before Tbilisi does not intend to carry on a dialogue with the independent Abkhazia as an equal partner, as a neighbor country.

As is well known, both at the Geneva discussions, and in other formats Abkhazia consistently supports the idea of reaching arrangements on the non-use of force. And we are ready to agree to the Russian idea about parallel unilateral statements of the interested states.

But even with these reservations Abkhazia has a faint hope that the Georgian President's statement will lead to an appropriate revision of Georgia's position at the Geneva discussions.

In this regard we hope that as a result we will manage to approach legally bound written obligations of the parties. I emphasize: the Abkhaz party is ready to assume such obligations.

It is common knowledge, and we have always affirmed it, that Abkhazia has no pretensions for the  Georgian territory, has never attacked its neighbors or anybody else, and does not intend to do it henceforth. We want to build equitable, good-neighborly relations with them on the basis of  generally accepted norms of international relations.

Certainly, we recognize that our strategic ally - the Russian Federation - remains the guarantor of our country's security from external threats.

I want to declare officially on behalf of the Republic of Abkhazia: in its relations with Georgia Abkhazia intends to adhere strictly to the universally recognized principle of prohibition of the use of force or threat of force as  provided by the international law.

Thus, naturally, we also reserve the right to self-defense in case of an armed attack on our country”.

At the meeting with journalists the President of Abkhazia also answered other questions.

12.05.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

A number of properties, the society is actively polemicizing about today, were transferred to the Russian side in the latter half of 1990th – the beginning of 2000th, vice PM Daur Tarba

Sukhum, A number of properties, the society is actively polemicizing about today, were transferred to the Russian side in the latter half of 1990th – the beginning of 2000th, vice PM Daur Tarba, participating in the “Pressing problems of statehood. Alienation of national property” round table, said.

“There are documents which have been signed by both parties”, Daur Tarba said and showed their copies to the round table participants. In particular, a copy of the Agreement signed on September 14, 1995 between the Cabinet of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Chief Protective Directorate of the Russian Federation on the use of state properties built in Pitsunda.

Tarba read out article 2 in compliance with which the Cabinet of the Republic of Abkhazia gives the Chief Protective Directorate of the Russian Federation the right to use free of charge  #8, 9, 10 state summer residences in Pitsunda with the territory within the existing borders and other real estate.

In compliance with article 3 of the same Agreement, the vice PM went on, the Chief Protective Directorate of the Russian Federation keeps the real estate, the state properties, placed at its disposal, safe and in proper condition, allocating necessary quotas, funds, and appropriation for this purpose.

The agreement specifies that the State properties, placed at the disposal of the Chief Protective Directorate of the Russian Federation, are properties with the special right of access regime, where unauthorized persons are not admitted without the consent of the Chief Protective Directorate of the Russian Federation.

He also acquainted the discussion participants with a copy of the documents confirming the sale of the state summer residence in the city of Gagra for RUB 25 mln. This decision was approved by our parliament in 2003, Daur Tarba said.

To accuse today’s authorities of transferring these properties to Russia is incorrect, vice PM Daur Tarba believes.

12.03.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

Abkhazia, UNICEF, the Abkhaz authorities and the European Union have left no stone unturned in their efforts to keep the region polio-free.

In the first round of the polio immunization campaign that began here in November, 98 percent of all children up to 17 years of age were vaccinated. Hundreds of vaccination points were set up in medical facilities, schools and kindergartens across Abkhazia, and more than 50 mobile units were deployed to reach every child in the most remote rural areas.

The second round of immunization is scheduled for 6-12 December.

“With recent cases of polio reported in Russia and other countries of the region that were previously declared as polio-free, the risk of the polio virus arriving in Abkhazia is quite high,” said UNICEF Representative in Georgia Roeland Monasch. “Immunizing children with oral polio vaccine in both rounds is the best way to protect their health and prevent the polio outbreak.”

12.03.2010  UNICEF.org

 Federation Council ratified agreements on investments protection and encouragement with Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Sukhum, Today the Federation Council ratified agreements on investments protection and encouragement with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Itar-Tass reports.

The documents are aimed at creating internationally accepted conditions and guarantees for business activity of Russian investors and those from Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The agreements provide for ensuring a fair and equal regime of investments implying prevention of discrimination measures and creating equal conditions with national or third country investors. Besides, the parties retain the right to apply and introduce withdrawals from national regime in respect of foreign investors and their capital expenditures.

Both agreements are typical but have a number of differences of "non-essential nature". For instance, it is stated that the documents are applied to all investments made since 1 January 1994. The application of agreements will ensure investors' long-term stability and legal environment predictability and will encourage the investment, trade and economic relationship between Russia and Abkhazia, as well as South Ossetia.

12.01.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia

 Lavrov: Russia will not support the final declaration of the OSCE Astana summit if it contains the “conflict in Georgia"wording

Moscow, Russia will not support the final declaration of the OSCE Astana summit if it contains the “conflict in Georgia"wording, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists. “In the final declaration, we are ready to support Geneva Discussions actively and in detail. But we can not agree that these Discussions are dedicated to the “conflict in Georgia”, as proposed by some of our western partners”, the Minister explained.

Lavrov said a declaration and an action plan are to be approved following the summit results. In particular, these documents were discussed during bilateral meetings with Kazakhstan, Germany in the person of Angela Merkel, as well as the meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State Secretary Hillary Clinton.

12.01.2010  Official site of the president of the republic of Abkhazia