Sukhum/Agency Caucasus – Europe is increasingly interested in Abkhazia, the unrecognized republic of the Caucasus, after Russia lifted its embargo on Abkhazia in retaliation for the recognition of Kosovo.
Representatives of the European Union (EU) and of Switzerland, in two separate groups, had talks with officials on their visit to Abkhazia.
The EU group of representatives had Peter Semnebi, the leading Special Representative in South Caucasus, Eric Fournier, France’s Representative in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, Mark Fossett, Fredrik Wesslau, Stina Rascal and Kaupo Kend, all private consultants to the EU representative in Tbilisi, Robert Liddell, the European Commission’s Representative in Georgia.
While the EU group met on Wednesday with Prime Minister Aleksandr Ankvab and Security Council Secretary Stanislav Lakoba, they paid a visit to Gal, an eastern region where mostly Georgians live.
The aim is to see the situation on location
The government of Switzerland sent to Abkhazia a group of officials under the leadership of its ambassador to Tbilisi Lorendo Ambergo. The officials will have meetings and inspections in Abkhazia until March 31. "We are here to learn about the general situation, and to have talks with government officials, non-governmental representatives and international organizations," said Ambergo, who is being accompanied by his wife Kristian Amberg-Perro, Derek Müler, the representative of Swiss Development and Cooperation in South Caucasus and his wife.
The Swiss diplomats were received by Stanislav Lakoba and Foreign Minister Maksim Gvinciya, as well. The Swiss group met with the United Nations (UN) Mission today, and they will visit Gal tomorrow.
The group will visit Sukhum, Gagra and Pitsunda in March 29 and 30 and leave Abkhazia the day after. KU/ÖZ/FT
