Moscow/Sukhum/Agency Caucasus – Well-known Russian experts and politicians think that Russia’s unilateral decision to lift the embargo that was imposed in 1996 by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on Abkhazia will be a step towards the recognition of war-weary Abkhazia.
Sergei Bagapsh, President of Abkhazia, said that the lifting of the embargo would contribute to the economic development of his country and would make easier its relations with the outside world. Nugzar Ashuba, Speaker of the Abkhazian Parliament, said that the lifting of the embargo was fair, because the embargo had been violating not only the rights of the country but also the rights of the whole nation.
The following is a selection of comments by several experts on the official statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Russia will no longer comply with the embargo.
Dmitri Yevstafyev, Russian political scientist: Russia’s lifting of the commercial-economic embargo on Abkhazia will lay the economic grounds for the recognition of Abkhazia. The lifting of this embargo marks a turning point in the course of Russian foreign history. This is the first time in 20 years that we are doing something right. We are speaking softly but acting firmly. It was the other way around so far.
Alla Yazkova, historian and Chief of the European Institute’s Center for Mediterranean and Black Sea Problems: The note from the Russian Foreign Ministry to cancel the embargo will play the role of a painkiller for the issue of Abkhazia’s recognition. Of course, Russia will not attempt at political recognition. Or, a needless disagreement between Moscow and not only Georgia but also the West will arise at a time when there has just been a change of power in Russia. This is, however, a trial fire. Additionally, this will pave the way for Russian companies in general, and the companies that will take part in the Olympic projects in particular.
Aleksei Muhkin, Manager of the Political News Center: In the wake of Kosovo’s declaration of independence, Russia can develop its relations with unrecognized Abkhazia without thinking that it is part of Georgia and can thus integrate it into its own economy.
Vladimir Jirinovski, Vice-Chairman of the Duma and Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party: Russia’s cancellation of the embargo that was imposed on Abkhazia in 1996 is the first step towards the recognition of Abkhazia. Eighty percent of the Abkhazian population are Russian citizens. It is absurd that a country imposes an embargo on its own citizens. KU/ÖZ/FT
