GEORGIA-ABKHAZIA/RUSSIA Agreement between Russia and breakaway Abkhazia is a step towards annexation - Georgian FM

Record ID: 643493

  • Title: GEORGIA-ABKHAZIA/RUSSIA Agreement between Russia and breakaway Abkhazia is a step towards annexation - Georgian FM
  • Date: 24th November 2014
  • Summary: TBILISI, GEORGIA (NOVEMBER 24, 2014) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF GEORGIA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, TAMAR BERUCHASHVILI IN A MEETING WITH AMBASSADORS ACCREDITED IN GEORGIA BERUCHASHVILI SPEAKING TO AMBASSADORS AMBASSADORS SITTING IN THE MEETING ROOM BERUCHASHVILI SPEAKING TO AMBASSADORS JOURNALISTS STANDING IN THE HALL BERUCHASHVILI LEAVING THE MEETING ROOM BERUCHASHVILI TALKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) GEORGIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, TAMAR BERUCHASHVILI, SAYING: "This concrete step we see as a concrete step towards annexation. We also believe that, as we observed the developments on the ground, this trend might continue covering South Ossetia as well. That's why a prompt reaction from the international community condemning this action is extremely important and critical for Georgia's statehood." VARIOUS OF BERUCHASHVILI TALKING TO MEDIA
  • Embargoed: 9th December 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Georgia
  • Country: Georgia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAE798YA0CFTK4B44CQK22GKAO7
  • Story Text: Georgia condemned on Monday (November 24) the signing of a partnership agreement between Russia and Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia.
    President Vladimir Putin signed a "strategic partnership" agreement with the leader of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia Raul Khadzhimba on Monday (November 24) in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
    Russia and Georgia fought a war in 2008 over Abkhazia and a twin region of South Ossetia, provoking the worst crisis between Moscow and the West since the fall of the Soviet Union.
    Moscow recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries following the war. Monday's move comes just seven months after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea and threw its weight behind separatists battling in eastern Ukraine.
    "This concrete step we see as a concrete step towards annexation. We also believe that, as we observed the developments on the ground, this trend might continue covering South Ossetia as well. That's why a prompt reaction from the international community condemning this action is extremely important and critical for the Georgian statehood," said Foreign Minister Tamar Beruchashvili after meeting with ambassadors accredited in Georgia where she urged them to denounce the move.
    Under the terms of Monday's accord, Putin said Russia would grant 5 billion roubles ($111.4 million) to Abkhazia, which has a population of just 240,000.
    The agreement, posted on the Kremlin website, aims to develop "joint defence and security space" and stipulates "protection of the state border of the Republic of Abkhazia with Georgia" by Russia.
    It also obliges Russia to facilitate "in every possible way" growth of Abkhazia's international ties and promote its recognition by other countries.
    Moscow said it would also ease requirements for Abkhazia residents to obtain Russian citizenship.
    Georgian President Georgy Margvelashvili called the agreement "absurd and illogical".
    Some Georgian officials say Putin may now sign a similar deal with South Ossetia, which already depends on Russia's financial and political support.
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