De-facto Abkhaz president vows to fortify so-called border with Georgia
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The newly elected de-facto president of Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region is planning to fortify its so-called administrative border with Georgia, restrict access between the two areas and reduce the number of checkpoints from five to one.
Raul Khajimba’s ambitious plan was announced by Russian news agency Ria Novosti.
"Only one checkpoint should operate on the state border with Georgia, along the river Enguri. Taking into account the security of our state, all other checkpoints should be closed,” Khajimba said.
Khajimba announced his decision to reinforce Abkhazia’s separation from Georgia at his party’s political council session, where he promised his colleagues he would "fortify the border with Georgia”.
State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civil Equality Paata Zakareishvili believed "fortify the border with Georgia” would deteriorate the situation among the people across the so called administrative border.
"The checkpoints supported the developing the human rights and security along the so-called administrative border. Only one checkpoint’s operation will not be enough for people crossing the line,” Zakareishvili said.
He believed the de-facto Abkhaz government’s decision would be revised. Government of Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia’s representative in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Jemal Gogokhia said that daily more than10000 people cross the so called border,”
"If de-facto government close the checkpoints it will negatively effect on relations of people, Gogokhia said.
Currently, one central and four surrounding checkpoints function along the so-called administrative border of Abkhazia including Khurcha, Orsantia, Saberio and Rukhi Bridge.
The five additional checkpoints opened in May 2013 in the Gali district. Resident of the Gali region can only pass through the so-called border if they used Abkhazian and former Soviet passports. Khajimba won Presidential Elections in Abkhazia on August 24.
Georgian authorities condemned the elections and called it an "illegal act.” The de-facto elections were not recognised by the international community either.
A ceremony was held yesterday, September 25, that declared Raul Khajimba as the region’s president for the next five years.
"We are ready to talk to anyone who holds the position of de-facto leader of Abkhazia,” said Georgian Dream Member of Parliament and Council of Europe representative Tinatin Khidasheli, despite Georgia not recognising last weekend's election.
The United States (US) says it does not recognise the legitimacy of the recent elections in Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia, held on August 24.
About 26,000 Georgians living in breakaway Abkhazia will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming de-facto presidential election after their passports were declared invalid by local leaders.
Georgia has assessed the recent decision of the de-facto president of the country’s breakaway Abkhazia region about planning to fortify its so-called administrative border with Georgia as a "violation of human rights”.
Non-use of force, using international security measures and ensuring Georgia's internally displaced people (IDPs) can return to their homes will be the main issues discussed at the next round of Geneva negotiations on October 7 and 8.
A Kremlin proposed new treaty on ‘Alliance and Integration’ with Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia and Russia will be signed by the end of this year, Abkhazia’s de-facto leader Raul Khajimba announced.
Georgian authorities condemned the proposed treaty believed such an agreement was a "violation” of the fundamental principles of international law and commitment.
A Kremlin proposed treaty on to enhance the relationship between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia has been condemned by Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili.
International community supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Norland while commenting the issue of Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia in Batumi.