Georgian PM: Moscow’s halt of social funding for occupied Abkhazia “interesting”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday described Moscow’s recent decision to halt social funding for Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia region as an "interesting development”. 

In his press comments, the official also labelled the issue as “highly sensitive” and reiterated, “I will say once again that the processes we have observed are interesting”.

Sergey Shamba, the de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, confirmed this week Russia had stopped social funding for the region effective September 1. He attributed the move to a “failure” of the de facto authorities to meet specific obligations.

Local media reported that Moscow had demanded the de facto Government ratify an agreement on the recognition and enforcement of court and arbitration decisions on economic matters, implement agreements related to investment projects by Russian legal entities in Abkhazia, and lift restrictions on Russian investors in the commercial real estate market, particularly regarding flats.

Shamba noted that Moscow had previously warned that non-fulfilment of the obligations could result in sanctions. “These sanctions have been implemented since September 1. As you know, some social funding has already been suspended, affecting doctors, teachers, security forces, and others”, he told the press.

Following the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, Russia recognised Georgia’s  Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions as independent states, a move supported by Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria. 

The international community considers the regions as occupied by Russia and has urged Moscow to withdraw its troops from the Georgian territory.