On February 17 the State Committee for Resorts and Tourism of the Republic of Abkhazia started to operate an official website for tourists.

This is currently the only official source of up-to-date information about resorts and tourist facilities in Abkhazia.

The sections of the website include: reference information for tourists with contact information for government agencies; hotels and sanatoria; road maps; descriptions of popular tourist spots and excursion routes, including for extreme tourism.

According to committee chairman Tengiz Lakerbai, the website will serve as a reference and educational resource for everyone with an interest in Abkhazia.

Pages of the website are devoted to the history of the area, the rise of Christianity, the establishment and development of the Abkhaz state, and the current situation in the republic. Thematic articles deal in greater detail with the most interesting sights and events in Abkhazia. Information about the country is supplemented by audio and video material.

Each section features unique photographs, specially prepared for the website to portray Abkhazia’s diverse scenery, its mountains, rivers, and seashore. You will see bird’s eye views of Abkhazia as well as phenomena encountered nowhere else in the world.

All material has been prepared specially for the website and is based solely on verified and up-to-date information. An English-language version of the website will soon be ready. It is planned to update the website regularly and expand its coverage over time.

02.27.2010  AbkhazWorld

The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is delighted to hear of the appointment of Mr. Maxim Gunjia as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia today, February 26 2010.

Gunjia has been Abkhazia’s representative to UNPO since 2005, building on 14 years of collaboration. During his term, both parties continued to foment a collaborative relationship of respect and understanding. We believe the appointment will go some way to recognizing the diplomatic achievements of Gunjia since 2004, whereby he became deputy foreign minister. UNPO equally congratulates Gunjia’s predecessor, Mr. Sergei Shamba who has now been appointed Abkhazia’s prime minister.

The UNPO reaffirms its support to Abkhazia’s people and their right to self-determination and international recognition. UNPO issued a riposte today to an article written by Mr. Graeme Wood whose analysis of “limbo states” seemed somewhat shallow in light of the strength of democracy in many de facto states.

02.26.2010  UNPO

Sukhum, Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh on Friday appointed Maxim Gunjia the country’s foreign minister.

Gunjia, 34, graduated from the Gorlovka State Institute of Foreign Languages, Ukraine in 1998. He joined the Abkhazian diplomatic corps in 1999. He was deputy foreign minister from March 2004 and Abkhazia’s envoy to the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) from 2005.

Gunjia is the youngest minister in the Abkhazian government. Under the Abkhazian laws, the country’s cabinet resigned on February 13 when the newly elected president, Sergei Bagapsh, took office. On the same day, the president appointed Sergei Shamba, Abkhazia’s former foreign minister, prime minister of the republic. As of now, practically all ministers and other government officials have already been appointed.

02.26.2010  Itar-Tass

Moscow, Abkhazia’s first president, Vladislav Ardsynba, has been hospitalized in Moscow hospital.

The health of 65-year-old former president "leaves something to be desired," said Abkhazia's health minister, Zurab Marshania. Marshania said that Ardsynba is suffering from an unnamed progressive chronic disease.

After serving two terms as Abkhazian president, Ardsynba was succeeded in 2005 by the incumbent leader, Sergei Bagapsh.

02.26.2010  APSUAA RIBJI

 Abkhazia is interested in establishing diplomatic relations with Argentina

Buenos Aires, Abkhazia is interested in establishing diplomatic relations with Argentina, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia Maxim Gunjia who heads the Abkhaz delegation visiting Latin America told ITAR-TASS.

"There are no diplomatic relations between Argentina and Abkhazia for the time being, but we hope to establish them”, he said. “Meanwhile we plan to open three embassies in Latin America: in Nicaragua, Venezuela and Argentina".

According to him, the purpose of the Abkhaz delegation’s visit to Latin America is to broaden political and economic relations with the region’s countries. "We intend to develop trade relations with all Latin American countries”, the Abkhaz foreign policy department head emphasized. “In particular, Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela and Nicaragua could be our serious business partners”.

Maxim Gunjia said that the Abkhaz delegation had had a number of meetings with local political and public circles representatives. "During the meetings their attitude to Abkhazia was very favorable”, he said. “The most important thing is that nobody assured us that Argentina wouldn’t recognize Abkhazia, therefore we hope that Argentina will be the next Latin American country to recognize Abkhazia".

"We want to continue our allied and friendly relations with Latin America because it’s impossible to advance without it, the recognition is not enough”, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia stressed. “We need close ties with these countries. They have wide experience; the infrastructure here is very much developed. They have very much in common with Abkhazia. It’s easy for us to communicate with Latin Americans, as though we are tuned in".

Maxim Gunjia added that Abkhazia also plans to develop ties with Latin American countries in the sphere of education, social exchanges and establishment of friendship between cities.

02.26.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, The President issued decrees appointing heads of state committees.

Enik, Grigory Razhdenovich was appointed Chairman of the State Customs Committee;

Katsia, Konstantin Anatolevich was appointed Chairman of the State Committee on State Property and Privatization;

Ampar, Rafael Shlaterovich was appointed Chairman of the State Committee on Youth and Sports;

Lakerbai, Tengiz Igorevich was appointed Chairman of the State Committee on Resorts and Tourism;

Mukba, Anzor Kokovich was appointed Chairman of the State Committee on Repatriation.

02.26.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, President Sergey Bagapsh issued decrees appointing Ministers.

Gunjia, Maxim Kharitonovich was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs;

Khodzhashvili, Lyudmila Platonovna was appointed Minister of Justice;

Marshania, Zurab Georgievich was appointed Minister of Health;

Koltukova, Olga Viktorovna was appointed Minister of Labor and Social Protection.

02.26.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

The government of Abkhazia and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization take issue with Graeme Wood's "Limbo World."

After spending only a few days in our country, Graeme Wood ("Limbo World," January/February 2010) dismissed Abkhazia as a "fake" country filled with "functionaries in neckties" whose language is a "linguistic freak show." Wood's flippant tone shows a lack of respect for our people and history. His misrepresentation of Abkhazia, past and present, is disappointing and discouraging.

On Dec. 12, in a turnout of 73 percent, 100,740 Abkhazians cast votes for a chief executive. President Sergei Bagapsh was re-elected with 59.4 percent of the vote in a vigorously contested race, declared fair and free of fraud by both international observers and local NGOs.

This is the third presidential election my country has held since gaining independence from Georgia in a bloody war 16 years ago. Despite ongoing hostilities from our larger neighbor, Abkhazia is rebuilding its war-damaged schools and hospitals and rewriting laws to meet international standards.

We are expanding relations with countries such as Russia and Turkey, modernizing our tourism industry so that visitors to the 2014 Sochi Olympics can enjoy our beaches, and rebuilding libraries so the next generation has the historical understanding to avoid past mistakes.

I do agree with Wood on one point: The post-Cold War world has not devised a satisfactory method for determining a country's legitimacy.

Still, while the justices at the International Court of Justice in The Hague debate the legitimate markers of statehood, Abkhazia's people are building a country. Like the founders of the United States, Abkhazians have sacrificed their lives and livelihoods for independence and understand that the mantle of nationhood is earned. We cherish that opportunity. We hope that someday Wood will return to our country with an open mind and a willingness to see what we are creating: one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Nadir Bitiev

Deputy Official Representative to the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, Abkhazia

We welcome Graeme Wood's analysis of so-called "limbo" states, but fear that it will remain little more than an enjoyable series of colorful pen-pictures. His references to "fake countries" and "wannabe states" are intended to be wry, but undermine the significant role played by what are more accurately described as "de facto states."

The very real contribution that de facto states make to good governance and democracy, both regionally and within their own territories, goes beyond mass production of miniature desk flags. The glib description of Somalilanders doing "quite a bit of dying for their land and for their spaghetti" does not progress our understanding, but worse, risks reinforcing false perceptions.

It's disappointing that little attention is devoted to the fact that many de facto states enjoy more vibrant democracies and accountable institutions than many U.N. member states. It fell to Maxim Gundjia, Abkhazia's deputy foreign minister, to make this point in the article, referring to the quality of life in Afghanistan.

We must ask why there is such reluctance, in a globalized world, to open the United Nations beyond its current 192 states. It is, after all, a community of nations, and to do so would be to democratize the international system.

Wood's article adds to the growing corpus of articles and study into de facto states, and we hope it will not be his last on the subject. We might have hoped that it would dwell on newer ground, but it is nevertheless important in ensuring that debate about the future global system does not remain in a state of limbo itself.

Graeme Wood replies:

Nadir Bitiev and Marino Busdachin wish that I took limbo states more seriously. I assure them that I regularly treat more established states with equal or greater insouciance in my writing and that in my experience the ability to welcome gentle ribbing is a mark of a country that has arrived.

I must correct one false impression. Bitiev assumes my description of the Abkhaz language as a "linguistic freak show" is snide, when in fact the vice here is jealousy. I wish I spoke a language as eccentric as his own. Abkhaz (which, incidentally, has produced a rich literature, some of it available in translation) has 67 consonants and only one vowel, giving it one of the most skewed ratios of any tongue.

Like many limbo states, Abkhazia was born in a moment of ethnic conflict, in this case related to Abkhazians' understandable fear that they would occupy a second-class status in Georgia. Part of ethnic pride is linguistic pride, so I can understand tetchiness on this point. But I would encourage Abkhazians to embrace the oddity of their language, as I have in my so far unsuccessful attempts to learn it.

02.26.2010  Foreign Policy

“The sooner different states recognize Abkhazia’s independence, the sooner it’ll have a positive impact both on Karabakh and the South Ossetia,” the leader of the Armenian United Communist Party Yura Manukyan told a press conference today.

“Despite amiable relations with Georgia, Armenia should recognize Abkhazia’s independence, taking the path Russia shows,” he said.

Anyway, we shouldn’t act hastily: we still face NKR issue and Russia should show its attitude towards the future developments of Karabakh conflict.

02.25.2010  Panorama.am

Recent information that Armenians of Abkhazia are pursued is untrue, Garegin Ghazaryan – head of Abkhazian Armenian community and President’s Aide for Armenian affairs told NEWS.am. Ghazaryan commented on information spread by Armenian media that Abkhazian Armenians (30% of population) are recently pressurized. According to some sources, Abkhazians stirred up by Russians demand that Armenia recognizes independence of Abkhazia, otherwise they will not be allowed to stay in the country.

“Armenians do not interfere in Abkhazia’s policy, they just live as average citizens. Thank God, Armenians live and succeed. The number of Armenians does not reduce but increase. Don’t worry about us,” Ghazaryan said, recalling that NKR President Bako Sahakyan met with local community in the course of his visit to Sokhumi for inauguration ceremony of Sergei Bagapsh.

Ghazaryan also asked to assist Abkhazian Armenians to preserve their national identity instead of spreading misinformation.

02.25.2010  NEWS.am

 RF-EU cooperation to help ensure stability in Transcaucasia-Ashton

Moscow, European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton is certain that despite differences in the stances on issues of security and stability in the Trans-Caucasian region, Russia and the EU can cooperate and make this region as secure as possible. She told Radio Echo of Moscow in an interview on Thursday that a serious process in this sphere is underway in Geneva.

This is the only place where all the key players can meet and hold negotiations, Ashton stressed. She said it is very important for her to make this process very stable and ensure stability coming to the region. According to her, despite differences in the stances, Russia and the European Union can cooperate and make this area most secure.

The task of the EU mission in Georgia is to prevent the growth of tension in the region, Ashton explained. It must be borne in mind that there are about 300 EU observers in this region at present, Ashton noted. It is very important for them to ensure such a situation in which the tension would not grow, it is one of the questions the EU is discussing, how to do this more efficiently.

The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia is an autonomous mission led by the EU under the European security and defence policy (ESDP).

Its objectives are to contribute to stability throughout Georgia and the surrounding region. In the short term, to contribute to the stabilisation of the situation, in accordance with the six-point Agreement and the subsequent implementing measures.

Its main tasks include: monitoring and analysing the situation pertaining to the stabilisation process, centred on full compliance of the six-point Agreement; monitoring and analysing the situation as regards normalisation building, the return of internally displaced persons and refugees, and contributing to the reduction of tensions through liaison, facilitation of contacts between parties and other confidence-building measures.

On 17 September 2008, Mr Hansjorg HABER was appointed as Head of EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia, EUMM Georgia.

On 17 November 2009, the Council welcomed the mission's contribution to the overall EU effort towards conflict resolution in Georgia, especially by monitoring the implementation of the Agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008. Given the cessation of the UN and OSCE monitoring missions, EUMM is now the sole international monitoring mission in Georgia. This has increased the significance of EUMM activities.

The Council welcomed the mission's contribution to stability, normalisation and confidence building in Georgia. The Council reiterated its support to the full implementation of EUMM's country-wide mandate, including access to the de-facto entities. While expressing its continued commitment to Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as to the principal of non-use of force, the Council emphasised the importance of measures to further build confidence among the parties, including through taking advantage of the agreed Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRM). This should enable human and trade contacts throughout Georgia leading to further improvement of living conditions for all populations affected by the conflict. In this context, the Council invited all parties to use all means at their disposal to contribute to these efforts.

The ninth meeting within the framework of international discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia took place in Geneva on January 28. It was attended by delegations from the Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, the Russian Federation, the United States, and the Republic of South Ossetia, and EU, UN and OSCE representatives. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs/State Secretary Grigory Karasin headed the Russian delegation.

The main focus of attention in the group on security issues was the need to develop firm security guarantees for Abkhazia and South Ossetia in line with the Medvedev-Sarkozy agreements. Different variants of the conclusion of agreements on the non-use of force between Georgia, and Abkhazia and South Ossetia were examined in this context. In discussing the current situation in the Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-South Ossetian border areas, a positive assessment was given to the role of the joint incident prevention mechanisms. Concrete ways for an acceptable solution for all parties to the problem of detainees and missing persons were outlined.

Participants in the group on humanitarian issues continued discussing the problem of refugees and displaced persons. They noted the priority importance of following in these matters the principles of voluntary return in safety and dignity.

The Geneva talks have been going on since October 2008 on the basis of agreements between Russian and French Presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Nicolas Sarkozy after Georgia’s aggression against South Ossetia. Then the Georgian troops attacked the republic and destroyed a part of its capital Tskhinval. Russia stepped in to protect the people of South Ossetia and many of them received Russian citizenship. Late August 2008, Moscow acknowledged the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The next meeting in Geneva is scheduled for March 30, 2010.

02.25.2010  Itar-Tass

 300 T-90 tanks to be supplied to Russian land troops in 2010

Moscow, Russian Land Troops commander Col-Gen Alexander Postnikov said some 300 new T-90 tanks would be supplied to the army this year. At present, Russia has approximately 20,000 tanks of various models in service.

"The present-day task is to develop a new battle tank, which not only would match but also surpass similar models in developed countries by its combat characteristics," the General said.

"The state defense order for this year focuses on the development and procurement of new types of armaments and military equipment, although we continue to repair and modernizing the existing hardware.

"We've selected the guideline toward developing and procuring new tanks; this work is under close attention of the Russian president and the prime minister. T-90 is our new tank. The state defense order for this year envisions the procurement of some 300 tanks of this class," the commander said.

"In defense procurements, we give priority to the North Caucasus military district," he added.

Aside from supplies of armored equipment to the land troops, they will receive Iskander tactical missile systems which surpass analogous models in the arsenals of our possible opponents, including Buk-M3 and Tor of various modifications.

At present, efforts are underway to modernize missile salvo systems in order to increase their range. Later this year, modernized systems Smerch, Grad and Uragan will be supplied to troops with missiles boating a longer range and precision, Postnikov said.

According to them, the number of troops Russia will keep in South Ossetia and Abkhazia is capped at 4,000.

Russia has set up military bases in these republics in order to protect the local population and prevent terrorist attacks. "The number of troops is set at 4,000, but it can changed, if necessary," the General said.

"The newly-created legal aspects enable us to develop the infrastructure of the fourth Russian military base in South Ossetia and the seventh base in Abkhazia, including the training facilities at the places of deployment, which will contribute to the maintenance of the high level of combat preparedness of these bases. Their structure is that of military formation; i.e. they include combat and logistics units," Postnikov said.

In addition to places of permanent deployment in South Ossetia and Abkhazia (in Tskhinval and Dzhava in South Ossetia, and Gudauta in Abkhazia), the Russian bases have military townships in Russia. For example, the seventh base has its own campus in Maikop. It enables the base to vary the number of personnel depending on the situation.

At present, Russia keeps some 1,500 troops in Abkhazia.

The rotation of the senior officers serving at the military bases in South Ossetia and Abkhazia is effected once every six months.

"In case of necessarily, we can carry out such a rotation instantly; in general, we proceed from expediency," the commander said.

02.25.2010  Itar-Tass

 Russian, Abkhaz politicians, experts to meet in Sukhum

Sukhum, “Russian-Abkhaz relations: the history and the present” international round table dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the Principality of Abkhazia’s entry under protection of the Russian Empire will be held on February 26, 2010 in the People’s Assembly – the Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia. The round table is organized by the “Ainar” Abkhaz media club with the assistance from the Russian non-governmental organization “the Center for study of communication technologies and integration processes on the post-Soviet territory and in the European Union countries “Livadia club”.

Scientists, public figures and politicians from Abkhazia and Russia will take part in the round table. They will discuss multilateral relations in cultural, scientific, economic, military and other spheres which have developed between Abkhazia and Russia over the years. Following the international round table’s results its participants will adopt a joint statement where they will make their proposals to the authorities of Abkhazia and Russia aimed at further consolidation of brotherly relations between the nations.

The following guests will take part in the round table:

• Christian Bzhania, the head of the Department of governmental information of the Republic of Abkhazia;

• Irina Agrba, the Vice-Speaker of the People’s Assembly - the Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia, a candidate of science;

• Natella Akaba, the chairman of the Public Chamber of the Republic of Abkhazia, the chairman of “Women of Abkhazia” association;

• Zurab Argun, the president of “Ainar” Abkhaz media club;

• Ruslan Bartsyts, the director of “Velikii Pitiunt” Pitsunda State historical and architectural reserve, a candidate of science, an expert for "Livadia club”;

• Anna Broido, a project head of the Center for study of communication technologies and integration processes on the post-Soviet territory and in the European Union countries “Livadia club”, a candidate of science (Russian Federation);

• Alik Gabelia, dean of the Abkhaz State University historical faculty, a candidate of science;

• Guram Gumba, a MP of the People’s Assembly- the Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia, a candidate of science;

• Oleg Damenia, the director of the Center for strategic research, a candidate of science;

• Socrat Jinjolia, the director of the Abkhaz branch of the “Institute for Eurasian research” Development Fund;

• Maxim Dianov, the general director of the Institute of regional problems (Russian Federation), an expert for "Livadia club” (Russian Federation);

• Andrey Medushevsky, the editor-in-chief of the “Russian history” journal, the leading researcher for the Institute of Russian history of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a candidate of science (Russian Federation);

• Soslan Salakaya, a researcher for the Abkhaz institute of humanitarian studies, a candidate of science;

• Raul Khonelia, the head of the Abkhaz State University international relations chair, a candidate of science;

• Vyacheslav Chirikba, the President of the Republic of Abkhazia’s adviser on foreign policy, a Doctor of Science;

• Valery Khomyakov, the general director of the Council for national strategy, an expert for "Livadia club” (Russian Federation);

• Igor Shatrov, a member of the Council for national strategy, the president of the Center for study of communication technologies and integration processes on the post-Soviet territory and in the European Union countries “Livadia club” (Russian Federation) and others.

02.25.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 MPs offer to announce a vacancy when filling vacancies in bodies of state power of the Republic of Abkhazia

A regular sitting of the People’s Assembly was held today.

MPs approved in the second reading the bill “About rehabilitation of victims of political repressions”. This law is aimed at “rehabilitating all victims of political repressions subjected to such in the territory of the Republic of Abkhazia from February 19, 1931, restoring their civil rights, eliminating other consequences of arbitrary decisions and guaranteeing adequate material damage indemnity”.

The bill was passed the first reading on March 4, 2007; it was then submitted for consideration by the President S. Bagapsh as a legislative initiative. The Committee on Legislation, Judicial and Legal Reform, State Building had considered numerous amendments; a number of them had been made to the bill. In particular, the amendment on return of real estate to the repressions’ victims was the subject of violent discussion. The Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights and Due Process of Law Batal Kobakhia warned for “the law under consideration not to contradict fundamental concept of property”.

Kobakhia also submitted for the Parliament’s consideration the bill “About amendments to the Labor Code of the Republic of Abkhazia”. According to him, these changes are aimed at “guaranteeing labor rights of employees and eliminating the facts of non-renewal of labor relations with employees for the reasons not connected with their labor activity”.

Earlier the Parliament had approved a number of laws providing for special reasons of termination of labor relations with employees of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Abkhazia, executives authorities, and elective bodies of the Republic of Abkhazia. It is a question of laws “About the Cabinet of the Republic of Abkhazia”, “About administration in administrative and territorial units of the Republic of Abkhazia”, and “About the President of the Republic of Abkhazia”. According to these laws, termination of powers of corresponding bodies of state power heads result in termination of labor relations with the bodies’ employees.

Considering absence of a law regulating service in state bodies, the Parliament offers to announce a vacancy when filling vacancies in the bodies of state power of the Republic of Abkhazia, except for heads of executive authorities and their assistants (advisers).

According to Kobakhia, “this novelty will encourage bodies of state power employees to improve their professional skills, and will increase efficiency of the government system”.

“The bill entrusts the President of the Republic of Abkhazia to issue a decree approving regulations on filling vacancies in the bodies of executive power and elective bodies and determining its policies and procedures”, Kobakhia explained.

MPs approved in the first reading the bill “About amendments to the Labor Code of the Republic of Abkhazia”.

In 2009 MPs made amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Abkhazia providing for an administrative arrest for a period of 15 days in case a driver does not fulfill a legal requirement of a police officer to undergo medical examination. For the same act committed iteratively within a year, an administrative arrest for a period of 30 days is imposed.

“However this law is applied only to drivers of vehicles and is not applied to other categories of citizens”, the President’s representative to the Parliament Dmitry Shamba explained.

With a view to bridge this legal gap it is offered to make amendments to the Code, providing for an administrative arrest for a period of 15 days in case a citizen does not fulfill a legal requirement of a police officer to undergo medical examination for a state of narcotic intoxication. For the same act made iteratively within a year, an administrative arrest for a period of 30 days will be imposed.

Amendments to the laws “About the status of servicemen” and “About defense” were passed in the final reading. “Creation of the State Migration Service has necessitated the amendments”, the Chairman of the Committee on Defense and National Security Garik Samanba said. “For fulfilling its duties this service has been granted a security agency status”.

The Parliament gave consent to the Sukhum administration to allot three hectares of land around Mayak and let it on lease to “Mayak-aqua” joint venture to create a children's sea club. The Parliament also approved an additional list of state owned enterprises subject to privatization.

02.25.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Sergey Bagapsh signed decrees appointing Ministers

Sukhum, The President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh signed decrees appointing Ministers.

Khetsia, Otar Mihailovich was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs;

Vardania, Indira Vladimirovna was appointed Minister of Education;

Logua, Nugzar Chichikoevich was appointed Minister of Culture;

Akaba, Jury Grigorevich was appointed Minister of Agriculture.

Bzhania, Aslan Georgievich was appointed new Chairman of the State Security Service of Abkhazia.

Tarba, Daur Nurievich was appointed Vice Prime Minister of the Government,

Ozgan, Christina Konstantinovna was appointed Minister of Economy

Colonel-General Kishmaria, Mirab Borisovich was appointed Minister of Defense.

President Sergey Bagapsh signed decrees appointing Vice Prime Ministers of the Government.

Lakerbaya,Leonid Ivanovich was appointed First Vice Prime Minister,

Kubrava, Beslan Sergeevich was appointed Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Finance,

Stranichkin, Alexander Viktorovich was appointed Vice Prime Minister.

02.25.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 The issue of allowing Russian citizens to buy property in Abkhazia is not yet solved, it is being considered, President Sergey Bagapsh

Sukhum, The issue of allowing Russian citizens to buy property in Abkhazia is not yet solved, it is being considered, President Sergey Bagapsh said today, commenting on Raul Khadzhimba's statement that serious problems would arise in case Russians were allowed to buy property in Abkhazia.

“The issue requires serious consideration. There are lots of proposals on the matter. We will discuss them in the National Security Council, as well as within the government and with the opposition too”, Bagapsh said.

The President specified that real estate had been sold in the republic for a long time. “It’s not a secret that mainly Russians obtain Abkhaz citizenship, bypassing law, to buy houses”, he said. 

According to Bagapsh, the issue of real estate market requires thorough consideration. “We should consider all pro's and con's. The decision which will be taken on this matter, must be as much as possible beneficial for the state”, Bagapsh said.

“Abkhazia is an independent state, a subject of international law and therefore it should follow international legal rules. We cannot live in vacuum, in isolation from the rest of the world”, Bagapsh said.

02.23.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Caracas, A delegation from the Abkhazian government is visiting Latin America “to further develop political and economic relations with its countries”

Abkhazia’s delegation is visiting Latin America to further develop political and economic relations with its countries, acting Foreign Minister Maxim Gunjiya told Itar-Tass on Saturday.

The agenda of the Abkhazian delegation’s working visit to the region includes the development of economic relations with Latin American countries, he said.

“We are looking for ways to fill our relations not only with political statements, but also with specific economic projects,” the acting foreign minister said.

During the tour of Latin America, the Abkhazian delegation will visit Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, and Bolivia.

“In addition to making preparations in Caracas for Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh’s visit to Latin America, Venezuela is a very big market for our country,” the diplomat said.

“The priority goals of our trip to Venezuela are to prepare Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh’s visit to Latin American countries and complete the process of establishing diplomatic relations with Venezuela,” Gunjiya said.

He said Abkhazia planned to open embassies in Venezuela and Nicaragua that have recognised its independence.

“We are studying questions related to the establishment of firm economic ties between Abkhazia and Venezuela,” the acting minister said.

“The ground has been prepared in Argentina for meetings at the Foreign Ministry, with governors, businesspeople, and mass media, and at the universities of this South American country,” Gunjiya said.

In Ecuador “we can see the process initiated by the president of this country, Rafael Correa who said that he was ready to consider the question of recognising Abkhazia after an official request had been received”, the official said.

“Such a request was handed over to him officially in December of last year, and e are now waiting for the reply,” Gunjiya said.

“Ecuador is seriously studying the question of Abkhazia recognition from the point of view of international law, and our delegation is ready to help with that,” he said.

Abkhazia insists that the question of its recognition “be considered not only in terms of the right to self-determination, but primarily in terms of view of international law,” the acting foreign minister said.

“In both cases Abkhazia has indisputable arguments,” he added.

The purpose of the visit to Bolivia is to study the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations with this country, Gunjiya said.

02.22.2010  UNPO

 S. V. Bagapsh meeting with the Vice President Alexander Ankuab, the Speaker of the Parliament Nugzar Ashuba, the Prime Minister Sergey Shamba, members of the delegation who accompanied the Head of the state on his official visit to the Russian Federation

Today the President of the Republic of Abkhazia S. V. Bagapsh has held a meeting with the Vice President Alexander Ankuab, the Speaker of the Parliament Nugzar Ashuba, the Prime Minister Sergey Shamba, members of the delegation who accompanied the Head of the state on his official visit to the Russian Federation and other members of the Government.

The President told the meeting participants about the results of official summit talks held during his visit to the Russian capital. Sergey Bagapsh pointed to the efficiency of these negotiations and their importance in the development of Russian-Abkhaz state mutual relations.

The head of the state thanked all members of the delegation and staff of the Embassy of Abkhazia in Moscow for the work done when preparing the visit in close interaction with the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, the Government’s Office and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The situation in the republic was also discussed at the meeting. The President charged the Prime Minister to submit to his consideration in the shortest possible time proposals on structural changes and personal structure of the government and management of the Cabinet’s lower organizations. At that Sergey Bagapsh stressed the necessity of recruiting young, prepared specialist to work for bodies of state power.

They also discussed proposals on preventing consequences of possible spring floods and necessity in this connection to do shore protection in the Gulripsh, Ochamchira, Tkuarchal districts, as well as along the Inkit lake in Pitsunda.

02.19.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Abkhazia hopes for intensification of relations with Russian regions, the republic’s President Sergey Bagapsh today at a news conference in ITAR-TASS.

He reminded that Abkhazia already cooperates with many Russian regions. In particular, "we have very good contacts with Moscow". In turn, according to him, "a nice site on the seacoast has been allocated for building the House of Moscow and a resort complex”.

"We have good relations with Krasnodar territory”, Bagapsh added. “In hard times the territory helped us with grain, medicines, treated our patients".

He expressed hope of intensification of business relations with other Russian regions and influx of investments into the republic.

02.18.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Abkhazia won’t carry on any negotiations with the Georgian authorities until Georgia recognizes the republic’s independence, the President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh said answering questions at a news conference in ITAR-TASS. "We are ready to talk as civilized people. If Georgia understands that there are already realities impossible not to be taken into consideration, then we are ready to carry on a dialogue as two independent states and to build up normal good-neighborly relations", he declared.

"We won’t have any contacts with the current Georgian leadership - both the Parliament and the executive power and the President", Bagapsh added.

Earlier the republic’s head explained that "negative attitude to these politicians is grounded on the fact that their arms are blood-stained up to the elbows, and they should answer for their crimes to an international tribunal". But at that he asked "to clearly discriminate between two things - the Georgian authorities and the Georgian people".

02.18.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Abkhazia’s MFA calls international community to take measures not to admit further militarizations of Georgia, to prevent a new phase of tensions on the South Caucasus

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia expresses grave concern in connection with the President of the Republic of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili’s speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London on February 17, 2010 where he once again confirmed the Georgian party’s intention to solve the problem of Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-South Ossetian conflicts settlement by military means.

“In the course of negotiations between Georgia and Abkhazia, the Georgian party has repeatedly broken the agreements signed between the parties and obligations taken upon itself. The fact that the policy of the Georgian leadership does not change and is aimed exclusively at the coercive resolution of conflicts to what the never-ending process of intensive Georgia’s remitalization testifies is not unexpected for us”, the statement of Abkhazia’s MFA made on Thursday, February 18 says.

“The position of many western states which, despite a recent Georgia’s aggression against South Ossetia, continue rendering intensive military aid, encouraging thereby aggressive aspirations of the Georgian leadership” also arouses MFA’S circumspection.

“It is beyond any doubt that the Georgian party, continuing to participate in the Geneva discussions on peaceful settlement of conflicts, intentionally refuses to sign a document on international guarantees of the non-use of force in relation to Abkhazia and South Ossetia, thus acknowledging its revanchist mood in relation to both republics”, the statement says.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia calls the international community “to pay attention to the ongoing aggressive rhetoric of the President of Georgia and to take appropriate measures not to admit further militarization of Georgia and to prevent a new phase of tension on the South Caucasus”.

02.18.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Mechanisms, format of current and future Abkhazia’s cooperation with UN agencies discussed in MFA

Acting Foreign Minister Lana Agrba met with representatives of the United Nations agencies: UHNCR, UNDP, and UNICEF, MFA’s press-service said.

Mechanisms and a format of current and future cooperation between the parties were discussed at the meeting. It was a question of the main lines of the UN agencies’ activity in Abkhazia, further prospects of interaction with them.

The parties exchanged opinions regarding efficiency and optimization of agencies’ work with a view of realizing projects aimed at positive changes in socio-economic and humanitarian spheres in the areas of Abkhazia which had suffered the most as a result of the war.

02.18.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia expresses grave concern in connection with the President of the Republic of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili’s speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London on February 17, 2010 where he once again confirmed the Georgian party’s intention to solve the problem of Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-South Ossetian conflicts settlement by military means.

In the course of negotiations between Georgia and Abkhazia, the Georgian party has repeatedly broken the agreements signed between the parties and obligations taken upon itself. The fact that the policy of the Georgian leadership does not change and is aimed exclusively at the coercive resolution of conflicts to what the never-ending process of intensive Georgia’s remitalization testifies is not unexpected for us.

The position of many western states which, despite a recent Georgia’s aggression against South Ossetia, continue rendering intensive military aid, encouraging thereby aggressive aspirations of the Georgian leadership also arouses circumspection. It is beyond any doubt that the Georgian party, continuing to participate in the Geneva discussions on peaceful settlement of conflicts, intentionally refuses to sign a document on international guarantees of the non-use of force in relation to Abkhazia and South Ossetia, thus acknowledging its revanchist mood in relation to both republics.

In this connection we call the international community to pay attention to the ongoing aggressive rhetoric of the President of Georgia and to take appropriate measures not to admit further militarization of Georgia and to prevent a new phase of tension on the South Caucasus.

02.18.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh will sign an agreement on a Russian military base in Abkhazia during a visit to Moscow on February 16-18, Abkhazia's Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

On April 30, 2009, Russia and Abkhazia signed an agreement on bilateral cooperation in the protection of Abkhazia's state borders. Russia guards over 350 kilometers of the tiny republic's borders.

Bagapsh was sworn in for a second term on February 12, 2010 after his victory in last December's elections. The polls were the first since Moscow recognized Abkhazia's independence in August 2008 after a brief conflict with Georgia over South Ossetia.

Abkhazia has also been recognized by Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru, the world's smallest island nation.

02.15.2010  RIA Novosti

 President Sergey Bagapsh congratulated Victor Yanukovych on his election as President of Ukraine

Sukhum, The President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh congratulated Victor Yanukovych on his election as President of Ukraine.

“Results of free elections in Ukraine, whose openness and democratic character was mentioned by all international observers, show that you and your team have incontestable authority and confidence with the Ukrainian people. I am certain that with your coming relation between Ukraine and Abkhazia will be brought up to a qualitatively new level”, the President of Abkhazia’s telegram reads.

The head of Abkhazia expressed readiness for all-round cooperation with Ukraine. He wished Yanukovych health and success, and the people of Ukraine - well-being and prosperity.

02.15.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 President Sergey Bagapsh to pay his first official visit to the Russian Federation from February 16 till February 18

Sukhum, From February 16 till February 18 the President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh will pay his first official visit to the Russian Federation, the chief of the department of governmental information to the President Kristian Bzhania told Apsnypress. According to him, a number of agreements between Abkhazia and Russia is supposed to be signed during the visit.

The delegation will also include acting Ministers of Economy and Defense - Christina Ozgan and Mirab Kishmaria, acting chiefs of the State Migration Service - Vladimir Arshba, Emergency Control Department - Lev Kvitsinia, the head of civil aviation department Anatoly Panteleev, etc.

During the visit he will meet with the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, the Chairman of the Government Vladimir Putin, the Patriarch of Moscow and All  Russia Kirill.

During the stay in the Russian capital Sergey Bagapsh will also deliver a lecture in MGIMO on “The 200th anniversary of Abkhazia's entry under protection of the Russian empire and influence of the Russian intellectuals and clergy on the development of Abkhazia at the turn of 19-20 centuries”.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia told Apsnypress that presidents of Abkhazia and Russia Sergey Bagapsh and Dmitry Medvedev would sign in Moscow the Agreement on joint Russian military base in the territory of Abkhazia.

“It is the third case when presidents of Abkhazia and Russia sign an agreement in the Kremlin, and it will be the most important event during Sergey Bagapsh's official visit to Moscow”, Abkhazia's MFA said.

Agreements on sea and aviation search on the Black sea, on cooperation in fight against illegal migration; on air communication; on military and technical cooperation; on principles of cooperation and terms of mutual relations in the field of transport will also be signed in Moscow. Agreements in the field of emergency situation prevention and liquidation, in the field of preservation of the environment and in the field of banking will also be signed.

02.13.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Ex-Prime Minister Alexander Ankuab expressed gratitude to the government, the Cabinet's office for honest work

Sukhum, Ex-Prime Minister Alexander Ankuab expressed gratitude to the government, the Cabinet's office for honest work.

“Everything we did was aimed at being of benefit for the republic, our people. We managed to do much, but a lot of work is yet to be done. I think the next five years of a new government's work will be effective, fruitful and rich“, Ankuab said today, at the last session of the government he has headed for the previous five years.

According to him, the former government has gained useful experience which should be further developed. Ankuab also said that the government he has headed established “good, business relations with the Presidential Administration, state enterprises, funds”.

“We are not leaving anywhere, we all will serve our citizens and the republic”, he added.

On December 12, 2009 Alexander Ankuab was elected Vice-President of the Republic of Abkhazia.

02.13.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 President Sergey Bagapsh signed the decree appointing Sergey Shamba Prime Minister of the Republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, The President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh signed the decree appointing Sergey Shamba Prime Minister of the Republic of Abkhazia.

That Bagapsh intends to appoint Shamba head of the government, it became known this morning, at the last cabinet's session where the members of the government handed in collective resignation. The President accepted the members of the cabinet's resignation and signed the decree of the government's resignation.

Addressing Sergey Shamba, he said that a great responsibility was laid on him since his predecessor Alexander Ankuab “has raised so highly the qualification standard of the prime minister that it won't be easy to be equal to him“.

“The work of the entire republiс depends on how the Government works“, Bagapsh said and  congratulated the new Prime Minister on the appointment.

Bagapsh characterised Sergey Shamba as “an experienced politician who has been in the thick of the political action happening in Abkhazia since the seventieth.

“Now he must tackle the matter of social and economic development of the country in real earnest”, Bagapsh told Shamba.

In turn Sergey Shamba who has been an unchallenged Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia for 13 years, thanked for the trust placed in him.

“I've worked in many Cabinets of the Republic of Abkhazia, but this one was the most effective”, Shamba said. “For me it's important to keep the people who have fulfilled their duties professionally”.

The President Sergey Bagapsh also expressed gratitude to Alexander Ankuabu for his work as Prime Minister.

In turn Alexander Ankuab thanked the members of the government and the Cabinet's Office for joint, harmonious work for the previous five years. “We managed to do much, a lot is yet to be done. We have gained the experience which should be further developed. A lot of work is yet to come”, he said.

According to the President, there will be some changes  in the Cabinet's structure.

In accordance with the legislation a new Cabinet should be formed within two weeks.

02.13.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, Today the President of the Republic of Abkhazia S. V. Bagapsh according to article 6 of the Constitutional Law “About the Cabinet of the Republic of Abkhazia” accepted resignation of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister Alexander Ankuab. Sergey Bagapsh declared it at the Government's session he chaired.

The head of the state appreciated highly activity of all Government's members making special mention of Alexander Ankuab's work. “We've worked harmoniously, as one team and, I think, have obtained considerable results”, the President said. According to Sergey Bagapsh the Cabinet is planned to undergo a number of structural changes which should improve the government's overall performance.

The Vice President Alexander Ankuab thanked all members of the Cabinet, the Cabinet's Office staff for the job done throughout 5 years. “I think the system of the government's work we have built, its interactions with the Presidential Administration will be further developing“, the Vice President added.

At the Government's session the President announced appointment of S. M. Shamba as Prime Minister of the Republic of Abkhazia.

02.13.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 We need to do everything for Abkhazia to develop economically. We have all conditions for this - President

Sukhum, Abkhazia will build normal relations with all the countries recognizing it as an independent state, a subject of international law, the President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh told journalists in Sukhum.

He stressed the invariability of the policy with respect to Russia which is “an ally and an friend of Abkhazia”.

As to the domestic policy, according to Bagapsh, the main thing about it is “stability and economic development”. “We need to do everything for Abkhazia to develop economically. We have all conditions for this”, Bagapsh emphasized.

Speaking about investments, Bagapsh said that “not only the Russian investor comes to Abkhazia today, investors from Turkey, Syria, some European countries show a great interest”. “We choose the best conditions for Abkhazia”, the President added.

Answering the question whether Bagapsh hoped for improvement of relations with the Ukraine in connection with the change of power there, the President of Abkhazia said: “Of course, it is necessary to establish normal relations both with the Ukraine, and Belarus, and all the CIS countries. It's no secret that all of us have grown in one state, we all known each other very well”.

According to the President, “in the course of time we need to come to another model - the Union of independent states to support each other in respect of security, economy and other things”. “We've always had good relations with the Ukraine, and now we hope to bring them up to a higher level”, Bagapsh emphasized.

Speaking about how he was getting on with his political opponents, Bagapsh said that he “had and has good relations” with them.

“Those who were watching our election campaign and elections, could see that I never said a false, dirty word about my opponents. You should support your policy and your program by deeds and people's attitude. In principle I also know these politicians' attitude to me. Many of them came, congratulated. Also it is the most important indicator of the elections”, the President said.

According to the President, the political culture is being formed in Abkhazia. “We explain to our people, opponents that life does not end with elections, and everyone who wants to serve the people, can find what to do in Abkhazia”, Bagapsh emphasized.

Journalists asked how soon the Sukhum airport would start working. Thereupon Sergey Bagapsh said that a great number of technical issues, including navigation, electronics, dispatching service, a terminal, a hotel should be solved.

“I will be on a state visit to Moscow, meetings at a high level will be held. A meeting with the  Ministry of Transport is also planned”, Bagapsh said. “We'll discuss all these questions, will think how to solve all these problems quickly”.

In any case, according to Bagapsh, at the beginning there would be flights only to Russia. “To fly to other countries, codes and a permission from respective international services are necessary. We have a very good airport, and we will solve this problem too”, Sergey Bagapsh stressed.

02.13.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Sergey Bagapsh: We are obliged to give the succeeding generations a strong, developed country, a state of equal opportunities for all its citizens”

Sukhum, “Commitment to the principles of rational balance will be the basis of our policy, we will rely on own strength, rich legacy of the people and constructive cooperation with foreign partners”, the President Sergey Bagapsh declared, delivering the inaugural speech today, on February 12. At that he stressed the importance of union with Russia.

Sergey Bagapsh pointed to the necessity of "certain structural changes” in the government bodies. “You will learn about them in the near future. Any innovations we'll take forming a new structure of governing bodies should improve life of the citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia. The state machinery must be effective, reliable, and its activity must be subordinated to the interests of citizens and the country”, he said.

“Readiness to communicate, seek advice from different public organizations, political parties, non-governmental organizations, the Parliament” remains as before an important thing in the President's activity. “The last years' experience is evidence of efficiency of such an interaction”, he added.

“We are obliged to give the succeeding generations a strong, developed country, a state of equal opportunities for all its citizens”, the President concluded his speech.

02.12.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, Sergei Bagapsh was sworn in on Friday for his second term as president of Abkhazia, thanking Russia in his inaugural address for helping the republic achieve independence from Georgia.

"With a great power, Russia, which has assumed colossal responsibility before the international community, we have arrived at the recognition of our independence," Bagapsh said.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by some 130 state and government officials form other countries, including Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov and Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov.

Bagapsh was re-elected as Abkhazia's president on December 12, 2009, winning with over 60% of the vote in the republic's first presidential election since Russia recognized its independence in August 2008 after a brief war with Georgia.

Bagapsh, 60, has been president of the republic of Abkhazia since January 2005.

The U.S. Department of State said the elections were illegitimate, while Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili condemned the vote as an illegal Kremlin-backed gesture in an "occupied territory."

Russia is the guarantor of Abkhazia's security with several thousand troops in the region under bilateral security and cooperation agreements signed since August 2008.

Abkhazia's independence has been recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru.

02.12.2010  RIA Novosti

Sukhum, A "simple, but dignified" inauguration ceremony of Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh, re-elected for another presidential term, will be held on Friday in the republic of Abkhazia.

"The inauguration is outlined in the country's law, and all events will be in strict compliance with it. On a request from the president, the ceremony will be simple, but dignified," presidential aide Valery Arshba said.

The ceremony will be held at 13:00 Moscow time [10:00 GMT], in the country's State Philarmonic Hall.

It will be attended by some 130 foreign guests, including Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov, Russian governors and mayors and delegations from Nicaragua and Venezuela, which recognized the country's independence.

South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity will also attend, as well as heads of de-facto independent ex-Soviet states, Transdnestr and Nagorny Karabakh.

The winning candidate was required to gain a majority of 50% plus one vote. According to preliminary official results announced by the Abkhazian Central Election Commission, incumbent President Sergei Bagapsh won 61.16% of the vote, with his former vice president, Raul Hajymba, trailing with some 15%.

Bagapsh, 60, has been president of the republic of Abkhazia since January 2005.

02.12.2010  RIA Novosti

 Statement from the press-service for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the republic of Abkhazia

The twelfth pentalateral meeting in the framework of the "Mechanism on incident prevention and response" attended by Abkhaz, Russian, Georgian, the UN and the EU representatives was held on February 9, 2010 in Gal.

On the initiative of the Abkhaz delegation, the act of sabotage committed on January 29, 2010 in the village of Chuburkhindzh of the Gal district in immediate proximity to the Georgian-Abkhaz border was discussed at the meeting.

That case which resulted in death of a CID officer and two civilians and wounding of five more people was regarded by the law enforcement bodies of Abkhazia as an act of terrorism against the Gal district police officers aimed at destabilizing the situation in the region.

According to L. Kogonia, the Gal district police chief, a probe is being conducted now. The probe’s results, within the framework of the parties’ arrangement on information interchange between the law enforcement bodies of Abkhazia and Georgia, will be presented by the Abkhaz side at one of the following meetings.

The Georgian party representatives declared that special services and the Governments of Georgia had nothing to do with that case and expressed bewilderment in connection with such accusations.

The Abkhaz party insisted the item of return of “Buket” vessel and the cargo seized by Georgia be once again put on the agenda.

Speaking about the “hot line” which has existed for about 10 months, the EU Monitoring mission representative said such interaction was efficient.

According to the parties’ arrangement, the following meeting will be held on March 2 in Gal.

02.11.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 The President of Abkhazia will pay an official visit to Moscow

The President of Abkhazia will pay an official visit to Moscow.

The President of the Republic of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh will be on an official visit to the Russian Federation from February 16 till February 18.

02.11.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Vyacheslav Chirikba: “The fact that Abkhazia and South Ossetia speak in the Palace of Nations as equals with other delegations is a positive act”

The Geneva consultations on security in Transcaucasia has become the main topic of the President’s advisor on international affairs Vyacheslav Chirikba’s press conference held in the Association of employees of mass-media of the Republic of Abkhazia on February 8.
 

According to Chirikba, for the time being within the framework of the Geneva discussions they managed to create the five-sided Mechanism on incident prevention and response. Chirikba called the Mechanism “a useful format”, allowing the parties to exchange information on the situation in the border areas.

“The main problem”, according to Chirikba, is reaching the Agreement on the non-use of force. He emphasized that the Georgian party was interested in two moments: “deoccupation” of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, i.e. withdrawal of Russian troops from there, and introduction of international forces in the zone of the conflict. “It has caused a resolute protest of the Abkhaz, Russian and South Ossetian delegations”, he said. “We declared that “such unexpected about-faces” threw discredit upon the future of the Geneva process as the subject of negotiations disappeared at all”.

“Eventually, Americans and Georgians decided to take the strain off the situation and said that they were interested in discussing this Agreement, however some preconditions were necessary. So we departed with that – without any results”, Chirikba said.

“We expected long, but discussions of documents and projects on the non-use of force what is important not only for Abkhazia, but also for Georgia”, Chirikba said. “But Georgia declared that it was interested in signing this document with Russia as it didn’t recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia doesn’t need this document, as it’s not afraid of Georgia’s attack. It is the Transcaucasia countries that are interested in stability: Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia”.

Vyacheslav Chirikba stressed the importance of Abkhazia’s participation in the Geneva process as it gives it a chance to state its position on the international scene. “The fact that Abkhazia and South Ossetia speak in the Palace of Nations as equals with other delegations, is a positive fact”, the President’s adviser said.

Nevertheless, according to Chirikba, if it becomes clear that it’s impossible to agree with Georgia on the Agreement on the non-use of force, the Geneva process will come to the end. “If Georgia shows common sense and decides that the Agreement is nevertheless important, we are ready to continue the discussions”, the President of Abkhazia’s adviser emphasized.

“We are ready for hard negotiations since we face difficult political problems, but we don’t need negotiations for the sake of negotiations for someone to tick off that the process is in the progress. We need a considerable result. We are ready to wait for it some time, but are not ready to be engaged in the imitation of a political process”, the Abkhaz delegation head on the Geneva discussions said.

If the Geneva discussions stop, according to Chirikba, it will block the last communication channel between Abkhazia and Georgia, Abkhazia and the EU. “In this case there will be practically no ties, except for informal contacts”, he added.

The following tenth round of the Geneva discussions on security in Transcaucasia is scheduled for March 30. “However we are not sure we will take part in it. All will depend on the agenda. We have warned the organizers that they shouldn’t follow the tastes of one of the parties, and determine the agenda to please it. If there is no schedule of stage-by-stage discussion of draft agreements on the non-use of force, the question of our further participation in those negotiations will arise”, Chirikba said.

As to the group on humanitarian problems, according to Chirikba, Georgia refuses to admit return of refugees to the Gal district, calling it spontaneous.

“Verification of refugees is very important for us. We have returned them unilaterally to the Gal district, where they have lived for more than 10 years. However the UNHCR cannot verify and register them without Georgia’s consent. 55 thousand people have returned to the Gal district, but actually they are considered refugees in the territory of Georgia. Our task is first of all to try to achieve verification of the refugees who have come back to Abkhazia, and to have them excluded from the total number of Georgian refugees. Secondly, we need verification of refugees in the Zugdidi district of Georgia. The figures should be transparent and accessible for everyone”, Chirikba said. “These things are also important for the international community. They should also know the exact number of refugees as the Georgian authorities are constantly speculating on it, saying that it’s either 300 thousand people, or 500 thousand”.

The Abkhaz party, according to Chirikba, is also interested in the issues of restitution and damage compensation since an enormous damage has been caused to the republic and Abkhazia’s citizens as a result of the war. At that Chirikba stressed that no question of return of refugees to any other district of Abkhazia, except for the Gal one, was discussed.

According to the President’s adviser on international affairs, after the ninth round of the Geneva discussions was over, the Abkhaz delegation visited Paris on the invitation of Institute of Democracy and Cooperation headed by a State Duma MP Natalia Narochnitskaya. According to him, a very interesting meeting with diplomats, conflict experts and Caucasus experts took place there.

Vyacheslav Chirikba delivered a lecture on the situation in Abkhazia, the negotiations which aroused great interest. “Experts asked a lot of questions, and it’s important that they had a chance to receive information at first hand. We need more such meetings as there is very little information from Abkhazia, especially in English”, Chirikba said.

As a result of the meeting taken place in Paris, interesting humanitarian and scientific contacts have began. “It was a successful visit to France, and we are happy with its positive results”, the President’s adviser on international affairs Vyacheslav Chirikba summarized.

02.09.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

The State ecological service of Abkhazia chief Roman Dbar considers impossible to transport for repair the MAG-1 Turkish vessel washed ashore in the water area of Sukhum because of a storm in December 2009.

The main republic’s ecologist said that despite the presence of up to 130 tons of gasoline in the tanker’s hold, there was no considerable pollution of the sea environment in that district of the city. They managed to empty the vessel’s hold by pumping the gasoline out. Roman Dbar emphasized that experts from the water monitoring department of the Ecological service controlled the coastal waters daily.

Dbar said it was already the second case in the water area of the Sukhum port when a crashed vessel’s owners didn’t want to spend money on its recycling.

“We are obliged to secure ourselves and introduce proper restrictions for our coast not to turn into a sunk ship cemetery”, the ecologist said.

To lessen the number of old decrepit vessels coming into Abkhaz ports, local companies should put forth corresponding conditions to their trading partners, Roman Dbar believes.

02.08.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

The Minister of Internal Affairs Otar Khetsia demands from police officers to speed up work in withdrawing arms and ammunition illegally kept by population. He declared it last Friday at the MIA board dedicated to the results of law enforcement bodies activity.

Khetsia regards with favor the fact that the population has fire-arms after the 1992-1993 Patriotic War of the Abkhaz nation and subsequent military operations, but it should be registered, as the law requires, and kept properly.

The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized that police officers should organize spot-checks in villages for the citizens living in harmony with the law to be able to register rifles and smoothbores they have.

02.08.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 District police departments chiefs warned about personal responsibility in case the so-called "Thieves in the law" apear in the republic's territory

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Abkhazia Otar Khetsia warned district police departments’ chiefs about personal responsibility in case the so-called “thieves in the law” appeared in the republic’s territory. He stated it at the MIA board following the results of law enforcement bodies activity for 2009.

Khetsia stressed inadmissibility of repetition of the case when three the so-called “thieves in the law”, citizens of the Russian Federation found themselves in Sukhum.

The CID of Internal Ministry of the Republic of Abkhazia specified for Apsnypress that G. Meporia, G. Lemondzhava and B. Petrov (Abokelia) had been detained in Sukhum as a result of operations work and expelled from Abkhazia.

“Since “thieves in the law” started to be persecuted in Russia and Georgia, it’s not inconceivable that some will try to move to Abkhazia”, the Minister of Internal Affairs warned.

Otar Khetsia charged the CID of MIA of the Republic of Abkhazia chief to develop a complex of measures aimed at revealing and instituting criminal proceedings according to the laws of the Republic of Abkhazia against organized criminal groups leaders and active members. “We need special measures aimed at suppression of activity of the so-called “thieves in the law", criminal financial funds keepers”, the Minister said.

02.08.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

The deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia Maxim Gunjia is on a visit in Italy on the invitation of a group of Italian Parliament senators.

Gunjia told Apsnypress that “the meetings have been held in the atmosphere of mutual understanding". "Italy shows interest in the events on the Caucasus. Georgia’s actions in August, 2008 aroused Italians’ grave concern”, he said.

“Abkhazia as well as Kosovo, has the right to the recognition. The international community shouldn’t ignore the right of the Abkhaz nation to independence”, the deputy Minister said during meetings with senators.

Gunjia stressed the importance of regional cooperation on the Caucasus, as well as development of mutually beneficial ties of Abkhazia with the outer world. According to him, “Abkhazia and Italy are connected by the community of historical and cultural ties. We highly appreciate the Italian authorities actions aimed at the establishment of peace and stability in the region”, M. Gunjia said.

According to Maxim Gunjia, “Abkhazia’s efforts in democratization should be properly assessed by the international community”.

“The recent presidential elections showed that Abkhazia has reached a considerable level of democratization. Abkhazia will continue working with the European Union countries to advance the issues of economic and cultural cooperation”, Maxim Gunjia said at a meeting with senators.

02.08.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

23 citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia study at military higher education establishments of the Russian Federation, Jury Zviryk the chief of the Border guard department of FSB of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia said at a press conference in Sukhum.

“The agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Abkhazia on joint efforts in protection of the state border of the Republic of Abkhazia” from April 30 provides for rendering assistance to Abkhazia in training professional specialists”, he said, adding that young people are trained at the Kurgan Border Guard Institute.

02.05.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

“Now the system of Abkhazia’s maritime border protection is a complex of measures including elements of radar camouflage of the sea water area situation and use of naval forces which have started to patrol the border since recently”, General Jury Zviryk the chief of the Border guard department of FSB of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia said at a press conference.

He also told journalists that five projects of border guard infrastructure are at the stage of construction completion. “We plan to finish building other projects by the end of 2011 according to the plan”, he added.

02.05.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 No progress in working out solid security guarantees for Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the Geneva discussions – Russia’s envoy to OSCE

The fact that there’s no progress in working out solid security guarantees for Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the Geneva discussions held the second year already, arouses regret, Russia’s Permanent Representative to OSCE Anvar Azimov declared today. He spoke at the session of OSCE Permanent Council held in connection with the ninth round of international discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia taken place last week in Geneva.

“In the situation when the Georgian leadership keeps on calling for restoration of territorial integrity of the country at any cost, when Tbilisi increases military presence near the Abkhaz and South Ossetian borders”, the envoy said, “the issue of giving solid security guarantees to Sukhum and Tskhinval becomes a priority".

Thereupon he reminded that the development of such guarantees was the main priority of the Geneva discussions according to the arrangements of Russian and French Presidents, however "no progress in this matter of principle is visible so far". "A delay with achievement of concrete results is disappointing for the delegations of Abkhazia and South Ossetia”, Anvar Azimov ascertained. “The head negotiators from these republics said frankly that they participated in the Geneva discussions on the instructions of their presidents for the only purpose - to receive solid obligations from Georgia of non-repetition of August, 2008 tragical events, and from the international community - guaranteed conditions of faithful compliance with such obligations".

Contrary to the logic and the essence of the Geneva discussions, the Russian representative went on, during the 9th round there was an attempt to impose the discussion of obviously progeorgian the so-called "interim measures of international security", aimed at replacement of Russian military and border guards in Abkhazia and South Ossetia for certain international presences. It nearly hampered the work. The Abkhaz and South Ossetian parties declared definitely that that offer was categorically unacceptable for them. At that they let know they would have to analyze the developing situation if it was expedient to continue with the participation in the Geneva discussions.

The Russian side, Anvar Azimov stressed, considers it essentially important to bring the point of view of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to the attention of OSCE member-states as these republics representatives are deprived of the possibility to address directly to the European community.

02.04.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Knut Vollabaek, Beslan Arshba discussed Gal district residents integration in the Abkhaz society

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek and the head of district administration Beslan Arshba discussed integration of the Gal district residents in the Abkhaz society.

Knut Vollebaek being on a working visit to Abkhazia had held meetings with the republic’s leadership the day before, and visited today the Gal district where mainly Georgians live.

According to Beslan Arshba, Vollebaek was interested in Gal schoolchildren education, public health care problems, and the situation with crossing the Georgian-Abkhaz border on the river Ingur.

“I’ve explained to Mr. Vollebaek that there are no obstacles for the civilians who have to cross the border on humanitarian problems, they just need to observe the existing rules in order to avoid chaotic movement. I’ve also reminded the High Commissioner on National Minorities that border control on the state border on the river Ingur has been toughened because of acts of terrorism committed throughout many years in the Gal district”, Arshba said.

Touching upon the issues of education, Beslan Arshba told Knut Vollebaek that there were no problems with teaching Gal schoolchildren in the native Georgian language, they receive education in the Georgian language, the Georgian language and literature are also studied at Russian schools of the city of Gal. “In Abkhazia every nation has the right to learn the native language”, Arshba told Vollebaek.

In turn Knut Vollebaek said that Gal children should also study the history of Abkhazia and geography of Abkhazia in the Georgian language. (Now these subjects are taught in Russian at all schools of Abkhazia).

Knut Vollebaek, according to Beslan Arshba, was also interested in the situation with the Gal district hospital and ambulance. Arshba assured the OSCE representative that district residents were rendered medical assistance on spot; in case Gal residents had to continue with the treatment or go away to Georgia’s medical institutions, no problems arose, such questions were solved quickly. “We tried to answer all the questions Mr. Vollebaek was interested in”, the head of Gal district administration said.

After the meeting Knut Vollebaek told reporters that, in agreement with his mandate, he was preoccupied with the situation with national minorities in Abkhazia. “I was briefed on the situation in the sphere of education, public health care, and other questions”, he said.

In the second half of the day Vollebaek left for the lower zone of the Gal district where he met with the villages of Pervoye Otobaya and Nabakevi residents.

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities also met with the district non-governmental organizations representatives.

02.04.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Moscow, Abkhazian leader Sergei Bagapsh will pay his first post-inauguration visit to Russia as the head of state, the Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy Dmitry Tarabrin said at the constituent conference of the Russian-Abkhazian Business Council on Thursday.

“After the inauguration on February 12 Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh will pay his first visit to Russia and we are preparing for it,” Tarabrin said.

According to the diplomat, setting up the joint business center with Abhazia “is not simply necessary, but also well-timed.”

“Prosperity and peace in the Caucasus is an interest of Russia’s national security,” he said. “Providing stability in the region and preventing Tbilisi's new risky adventures and aggressive plans is an important condition for economic partnership by Moscow with both Sukhum and Tskhinval,” he said.

Having noted that “with the recognition of their independence Abkhazia and South Ossetia have become equitable partners of Russia in international relations” Tarabrin said Russia planned to put make a comprehensive approach to interaction with the newly-independent countries.

In particular, he said the Russian Foreign Ministry together with other agencies was drafting some 60 industrial agreements with the two republics.

The Russian senior diplomat is sure that “Moscow’s policy of strengthening stability in the Caucasus will force the West and Georgia to reconsider their deadlock-like stances in handling the region’s problems.”

The Georgian leaders' strategy of reclaiming “occupied territories” through economic integration, Tarabrin said, was “anti-Russian and anti-Abkhazian.”

“All this is being done not on Georgia’s money,” he said. “Attempts to achieve the return of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are being exerted for the sake of Georgia's integration with the European Union,” he said.

02.04.2010  Itar-Tass

 Today the President Sergey Bagapsh met with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek

Today the President Sergey Bagapsh met with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek.

“I’m pleased to welcome you in Abkhazia. After our last meeting we managed to solve a lot of questions and problems, some are being solved”, Bagapsh said. He also said that in Abkhazia they realized that relations with national minorities are the main indicator of a country’s development as a democratic state.

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities was interested in the Geneva process, as well as the development of the situation in the region.

The head of the state said that Abkhazia had laid certain hopes on the Geneva process. “Mutual concessions are necessary for the negotiations to continue. We offer to sign an Agreement on the non-use of force, but this question isn’t solved. Moreover, now we are being offered a new document. We are not discussing it and are not going to consider”, the President said.

02.03.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Abkhazia’s authorities do not intend to consider georgian “Strategy in regard to the occupied territories”

A meeting held today chaired by the President Sergey Bagapsh was dedicated to the situation in the border Gal district.

It was attended by the Speaker of the Parliament Nugzar Ashuba, the Prime Minister Alexander Ankuab, the Secretary of the Security Council Alexander Voinsky, the chief of the Migration Service of the Republic of Abkhazia Vladimir Arshba, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Shamba, the Minister of Internal Affairs Otar Khetsia, the deputy Chairman of the State Security Service Nugzar Samsonia, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Security Garik Samanba, the head of the Gal district administration Beslan Arshba, heads of district’s security agencies.

At the meeting it was a question of the facts of offences that have become more frequent and of the necessity to coordinate all security agencies’ activities, to fortify the Abkhazia’s border on the river Ingur.

According to the President, the activities of the security agencies in the Gal district are badly coordinated. S. Bagapsh strictly forbade police officers to go to crime scenes without respective convoy and equipment available in the Gal district. “We have purchased special vehicles and equipment not to put our boys at risk henceforth since a lot of them have been killed in acts of terrorism”, Bagapsh said.

He pointed to the fact that provocations against security agencies are always created in the Gal district and it should be born in mind.

As to the state border, according to the President, it should be equipped appropriately.

At the meeting it was a question of the strategy approved by the Georgian government in regard to Abkhazia and South Ossetia providing for “Inclusion via Cooperation”, “peaceful ways to settle conflicts”, “attraction of investors’ money”. Sergey Bagapsh regards these Georgia’s actions as “gentle bribe to the Gal district population”.

Therefore the President considers it necessary to fortify the border and to toughen access control. “We are ready to speak with international structures if they assist Gal residents through Abkhazia. If it’s done through Georgia we will suppress it in every way possible”, Bagapsh said.

“We always meet the population of the district halfway, but they kill our people as they did”, Bagapsh said.

According to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Shamba, Georgia’s representatives tried to hand this "strategy" of the Georgian government over to the Abkhaz delegation during the ninth round of the Geneva discussions. “Abkhazia’s representatives declared that they didn’t even intend to read it, and warned that if this so-called “strategy on the occupied territories” was offered during the discussions, they would get up and leave the meeting, and the document would be left lying on the table”, Shamba said. “We are not an occupied territory and don’t even intend to speak about it. Secondly, we regard this document as a plan to get Abkhazia back to Georgia. For us it’s an instruction of what cannot be done”.

President Sergey Bagapsh also declared that the Abkhazia’s authorities were going to consider no programs of the Georgian government. The head of the state believes that any Georgian program is an instruction “how to get Abkhazia back”.

“We won’t even speak about it. In response to this program we will toughen the border on the river Ingur and won’t allow to create “the fifth column” in the Gal district. I can imagine how many people have been already recruited, and are running in the district”, the President stressed.

Sergey Bagapsh warned siloviki to be more attentive with respect to the people arousing suspicion in cooperation with Georgia’s special services.

02.02.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Minister for Foreign Affairs recieved new regional directorof “Norwegian Refugees Council” for the Caucaus

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia Sergey Shamba met with the “Norwegian Refugees Council” (NRC) international humanitarian organization representatives Mr. Peter Kostogryz who was appointed as new organization’s regional director for the Caucasus, as well as the regional NRC manager madam Ana Povrjenic. The meeting was held within the framework of Peter Kostogryz’s familiarization visit to Abkhazia.

Madam Povrjenic told the Minister about the organization’s projects planned for 2010. So, with financial assistance from the UNHCR the NCR continues with the project of building houses for beneficiants from the Tkuarchal, Ochamchira and Gal districts. This project provides for building of new houses as well as repair of the houses where beneficiants already live. 85 houses are to be repaired in 2010.

The organization also plans the “small hothouse farms” project aimed at rendering assistance to beneficiants within the framework of the house repair project. The carpenter's workshop in the city of Gal working with the NRC assistance is to be attracted for acquiring necessary construction materials.

With a view of giving jobs to the local young people NRC intends to open a school to the carpenter's workshop to train young people in professions with the best job opportunities in the republic at present. The project will involve Abkhaz State University lecturers and experts.

NRC also plans to repair three comprehensive schools with preliminary endorsement by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Abkhazia. In 2009 NRC repaired three secondary schools in the villages of Bagriap, Baslakhu and Gup, and repaired partially #10 school in the city of Sukhum.

NRC continues to consult local population on legal matters in the city of Gal. Basically citizens inquire about the documents package for receiving the national document proving identity.

The Norwegian Refugees Council representatives thanked for organizing the meeting, stressing that the Abkhazia’s authorities are always ready for a dialogue with humanitarian organizations.

02.02.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Denis Tsargush won gold medal in international free-style wrestling tournament of “Ivan Yarygin” Golden Grand-prix series

Our compatriot Denis Tsargush won the first place in the weight category to 74 kg in the international free-style wrestling tournament of “Ivan Yarygin” Golden Grand-prix series in Krasnoyarsk, the Chairman of the State Committee on Youth and Sports Raphael Ampar told “Apsnypress”. According to him, a victory in this prestigious tournament is a pass to the European championship which will be held this March.

According to Russian Internet periodicals, the XXI international free-style wrestling tournament of “Ivan Yarygin” Golden Grand-prix series and Ivan Yarygin's Cup in absolute weight category has gathered a record number of athletes — more than 350 wrestlers from every corner of the globe. The competition was held in Ivan Yarygin’s Palace of Sports from January 29 till January 31.

Denis Tsargush was a member of the Russian national team that became the absolute leader of the XXI “Ivan Yarygin” tournament in the medals won.

For three days Russian national team wrestlers have won 4 gold medals (Magomedmurad Gadzhiev – 66 kg., Denis Tsargush – 74 kg., Abdusalam Gadisov – 84 kg. and Jury Belonovsky – 96 kg.), 5 silver and 11 bronze medals. Thus, the Russian national team won 20 medals.

Wrestlers from North Korea, Ukraine and Belarus with the only gold medal are on the second place. Wrestlers from Japan won one silver medal and three bronze ones on the tournament. Turkey, with one silver medal closes the group of four winners.

On September 23, 2009 Denis Tsargush became the world free-style wrestling champion in the weight category to 74 kg. in the World Championship held in Denmark. In the competition’s final duel Tsargush beat a Daghestani, a member of the Azerbaijani team C. Chamsulvaraev.

02.02.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Statement from the press-service for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia

On February 1 in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs the Foreign Minister of Abkhazia Sergey Shamba had a meeting with the “Norwegian Refugees Council” (NRC) international humanitarian organization representatives Mr. Peter Kostogryz who was appointed as new organization’s regional director for the Caucasus, as well as the regional NRC manager madam Ana Povrjenic. The meeting was held within the framework of Peter Kostogryz’s familiarization visit to Abkhazia.

During the meeting madam Povrjenic told the Minister about the organization’s projects planned for 2010. So, with financial assistance from the UNHCR the NCR continues with the project of building houses for beneficiants from the Tkuarchal, Ochamchira and Gal districts. This project provides for building of new houses as well as repair of the houses where beneficiants already live. 85 houses are to be repaired in 2010. The organization also plans the “small hothouse farms” project aimed at rendering assistance to beneficiants within the framework of the house repair project. The carpenter's workshop in the city of Gal working with the NRC assistance is to be attracted for acquiring necessary construction materials. With a view of giving jobs to the local young people NRC intends to open a school to the carpenter's workshop to train young people in professions with the best job opportunities in the republic at present. The project will involve Abkhaz State University lecturers and experts.

The organization also plans to repair three comprehensive schools with preliminary endorsement by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Abkhazia. In 2009 NRC repaired three secondary schools in the villages of Bagriap, Baslakhu and Gup, and repaired partially #10 school in the city of Sukhum.

NRC continues to consult local population on legal matters in the city of Gal. Basically citizens inquire about the documents package for receiving the national document proving identity.

The Norwegian Refugees Council representatives thanked for organizing the meeting, stressing that the Abkhazia’s authorities are always ready for a dialogue with humanitarian organizations.

02.01.2010  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Russia, South Ossetia Agree to Visa-Free Travel

Moscow, Russia and South Ossetia agreed to visa-free travel Monday.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his South Ossetian counterpart, Murat Jioyev, signed the deal in Moscow as part of a bilateral friendship and cooperation agreement signed in September 2008, South Ossetia's representative office in Moscow said in a statement.

Lavrov told reporters that Russia would seek the representation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe, Interfax reported.

Moscow recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia after a brief war with Georgia in August 2008.

Georgians are required to obtain visas to visit Russia, a requirement that went into force amid deteriorating relations between Tbilisi and Moscow after the election of President Mikheil Saakashvili in 2003.

02.01.2010  Russia Today

Gal, Interior Ministry of Abkhazia cannot rule out involvement of Georgia in terrorist act in Gal region, which occurred past Friday and killed one policeman and two civilians.

"It's a targeted action against Gal policemen, because they were called after robbery in lone woman's house in Chuburkhinji, and on arrival they were blasted in the courtyard. It's definitely a planned operation for destabilization of situation in Gal region," Otar Khetsia, the Interior Minister of Abkhazia.

The blast claimed lives of three, seven [four policemen and three civilians] were moderately injured and taken to hospitals in Sukhum - RIA Novosti.

The Prosecutor's Office of Gal region brought a criminal case over terrorist action.

02.01.2010  TODAY.AZ