Deputy Foreign Minister Irakli Tuzhba greeted the diplomats and proposed to discuss the agenda of the International Geneva Discussions in two main areas - security and humanitarian issues.

Irakli Tuzhba noted that the situation in Abkhazia and directly in the border Gal region is stable. There have been no major incidents.

“There were attempts to illegally cross the state border along the Ingur River, they were suppressed, everything was decided in a legal way,” he said.

Tuzhba also noted that the global problem associated with the spread of coronavirus infection also affected Abkhazia. Abkhazian doctors are actively fighting this disease. The peak of incidence has been passed, as evidenced by statistics.

“This became possible thanks to the efforts of our doctors and the assistance provided to the republic by our strategic partner - the Russian Federation,” Tuzhba said.

He also expressed gratitude to international organizations that provided assistance to Abkhazia with medical equipment, consumables and disinfectants.

Tuzhba also said that the leadership of Abkhazia has already turned to Russia with a request to provide the Sputnik-V vaccine. “We expect that the vaccine will arrive in the near future and mass vaccination of the population will begin,” he said.

Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that the most important and topical issue for Abkhazia is the coordination and further signing of the Georgian-Abkhaz document on international guarantees of the non-use of force.

“Unfortunately, for many years now, due to the destructive position of one of the participants in the discussions, in particular Georgia, we are actually marking time in one place. Nevertheless, we continue to participate in the Geneva Discussions. People feel disappointment since they do not see concrete results in this process. But we intend to continue working, since the Geneva consultations are the only platform where the Abkhaz side participates on an equal basis with other major players. The issue of agreeing and signing a document on the non-use of force directly affects the issues of ensuring the safe and peaceful development of our region. The recent events in Nagorno-Karabakh have demonstrated that our region remains quite explosive, and events can be quite unpredictable. Therefore, we intend to continue working and achieve results, ” Tuzhba stressed.

At the same time, he noted that Abkhazia expresses concern about the modernization of the armed forces of Georgia.

“Considering the fact that Georgia plays a destabilizing role in our region and is a source of constant aggression, we pay serious attention to the processes taking place inside Georgia. In particular those related to the active militarization of the country and its armed forces. These processes are taking place with the direct active support of the EU countries and the United States, ” Tuzhba said.

He recalled that the Abkhaz side had repeatedly made statements which regarded the military exercises held in Georgia under the auspices of NATO as a direct threat to its own security. Abkhazia is also concerned about the increased incidence of American warships carrying nuclear warheads entry to the Black Sea.

“We will also build up our military-technical cooperation with Russia, as it is our strategic partner and guarantor of security,” Tuzhba said.

The Abkhazian diplomat drew the attention of the co-chairs of the Geneva Discussions to Georgia's intention to start production of unmanned aerial vehicles for reconnaissance and combat purposes at Georgian military-industrial enterprises.

“The Georgian authorities do not hide their aggressive intentions. Georgian representatives draw direct parallels with the recent events in Nagorno-Karabakh in their speeches, in which drones played a significant role. They largely predetermined the outcome of the conflict. Therefore, the Georgian authorities are betting on the production of this modern weapon, " Tuzhba summed up.

Toivo Klaar, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, introduced the new Co-Chair of the Geneva Discussions - Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office in the South Caucasus Anniku Söder to the meeting participants. He also stressed the importance of discussing the entire range of issues on the agenda and expressed confidence in conducting detailed discussions within the framework of the meeting.

Toivo Klaar noted that the coronavirus pandemic has become a challenge for the whole world.

“We hope that the pandemic, which also influenced the International Geneva Discussions, is now decreasing, which will allow us to return to the regular and familiar form of holding discussions. It is very important for us to discuss the entire range of issues related to the agenda of international discussion. These are both humanitarian and security issues, ” said Toivo Klaar.

OSCE Special Representative Annika Söder expressed satisfaction with her first visit to Sukhum.

“It is very important for us to use the opportunities provided by the Geneva Discussions in order to find ways and resolve issues that will improve the lives of the population affected by the hostilities. I think this is a very important platform for the parties to meet, ” she said.

Political Officer of the Office of the UN Representative at the International Geneva Discussions Azat Lachinyan noted the fight against COVID-19 is yielding a positive result in Abkhazia.

“We would also like to express our gratitude for the cooperation with the World Health Organization, with all UN agencies in the fight against COVID-19, and we respect this cooperation. The international community is ready to continue helping you in this regard, ” Lachinyan said.

The next 52nd round of the Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia is scheduled for March 25-26, 2021.