Moscow/Agency Caucasus – Contrary to popular belief, international acknowledgement of Abkhazia’s independence would help to solve Georgia’s domestic and foreign problems, said Nugzar Ashuba, Speaker of the Abkhazian Parliament, on Friday when he spoke of his country’s theses to the Russian members of the Duma, lower chamber of the Russian Parliament after a recent joint call from Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria for the recognition of their independence was discussed.
Russia’s denial of recognition to Abkhazia would contradict its regional interests, said Ashuba, and added that Abkhazia met all legal, institutional and democratic requirements to get recognized as an independent state, and Kosovo set an example for Abkhazia.
If Russia recognized Abkhazia, financial transactions would be transparent, causing the regional Russian investors to enjoy more easiness, said Ashuba, and added that Russia was the guarantee of security for Abkhazia.
"The Abkhazians are looking with hope to Russia for comfort and security," said Ashuba. "We will never get along with Georgia in the same country."
"We think that even Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, is ready to welcome recognition of Abkhazia’s independence. The Georgian administration will be able to solve many of its socio-economic problems. And the Georgians will eventually be freed from the haunting expectation of war," said Ashuba. Of his delight at Russia’s decision to lift the embargo on Abkhazia, Ashuba said: "With the embargo lift, our cooperation with Russia will grow even to cover the preparations for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games." ÖZ/FT
