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EU hinders economic development in Abkhazia - president
Published: 12 March, 2010, 21:52
Edited: 13 March, 2010, 19:35
TAGS: Meeting, EU, Georgia, Ossetian War
The republic’s president, Sergey Bagapsh, calls the attitude of the EU towards his country illogical. He expressed his concerns at a meeting with EU Ambassador for Southern Caucasus Peter Semneby.
Bagapsh pointed out that Europe contradicts its own proclaimed principle of distinguishing political issues from economic ones.
As an example, Bagapsh drew on the incident when Finland’s Foreign Ministry banned the company Nokia from buying mobile communication equipment for Abkhazia.
“Everybody has to understand that Abkhazia has to live and develop, develop its business. We’ll try to protect the people who work in Abkhazia and make investments in the republic”, said Sergey Bagapsh as reported by information agency Interfax.
The president said that the republic would have to turn to other business partners in the Middle East and China for the purchase of the necessary equipment.
In its turn, Semneby said that as a result of heated debates all the countries, members of the EU, have agreed on a certain policy towards Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia. This policy involves non-recognition of the republics’ independence but implies communication and development of ties with the countries. He stressed that these measures are not part of a pro-Georgian policy.
In January, Georgia approved a new strategy towards Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia. The program “Participation through cooperation” involves measures of peaceful re-integration of the republics’ population into Georgia. The strategy was highly praised by Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, however, skeptically received by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and called overdue.
Abkhazian President ruled out the possibility of discussing this new strategy.
Other issues concerning Abkhazian relations with the international community were raised at the meeting of the EU ambassador with the country’s prime minister, Sergey Shamba, reports information agency RIA-Novosti.
Thus, they spoke about the relaxation of rules on obtaining the Schengen visa for Abkhazians. The PM referred to the cases of refusal to issue Schengen visas for Abkhazians as the process “hindering the freedom of movement” and “undermining establishing direct contacts with the outer world”.
Another question raised was the presence of international humanitarian organizations in the country. The PM said that too much of a political focus along with pressure from Georgia are the factors getting in the way of the successful operation of these organizations in the area.
12.03.2010, 21:22
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This is so unfortunate that both the EU and Saakashvili's Georgia is hindering the progress of this young nation, Abkhazia is sovereign and independent the re-integration back to Georgia will be such a set back for Abkhazia but luckily Abkhazia has allies such as South Ossetia and it's large neighbour Russia, such an act like this will force Abkhazia to defend itself once again. As for NATO's meddling in Abkhazian way of life is simply abomination and illegal. Saakashvili's Georgia is simply running out of option's and are always calling to NATO countries like a baby that has it's toy that was knocked out of his pram. Saakashvili's Georgia is in direct violation of the peace package that was made soon after the August 2008 conflict. I hope NATO will see this is provocation made by Saakashvili's Tyrannous Georgia. Why does Saakashvili treat this with such malice i'll never know but one this is for certain Saakashvili needs to be removed by force from office and removed from politics as a whole, Finally as for Economical Development in Abkhazia again they are Sovereign and independent they do not need to worry about hinder's and pitfalls made by it's enemies they can build Economical wealth without the EU,NATO, and the US, for Abkhazia has many that will invest in Abkhazia like South Ossetia,Russia,Kazakhstan,Armenia,Nagorno Karabakh,Ukraine, and Belarus, with the possibility of Transnistria, too so Abkhazia is and will never be Economically alone. So I think it'll be best is Abkhazia was to join a Union of some sort to help it's new Economy and to show the world they can be financially secure and able to sustain itself without the Crybabies from Saakashvili's Georgia,EU, and NATO.
Think return on investment, its good to talk to the EU, but don't waste too much time, instead concentrate on economic ties with BRIC. The EU will offer very little opportunities, it is still struggling with integration, even without other parties coming up for further trade considerations. Take the path of least resistance, whilst keeping all paths open!
Impera: "Saakashvili needs to be removed by force from office.." Wise course of action for the Georgian people, but it won't happen. Unlike, the Ukrainians, the Georgian people are in no position to make independent decisions or engage in collective actions to throw that tie-sucker out of office. Saakashvili and his thugs are running Georgia with the same mentality exhibited by Stalin: trust no one and arrest anyone who dares to speak out. Saakashvili has literally blinded the Georgian people as to what is going on around them. Saakashvili has elevated himself into a demigod who dispenses "information" to the people and deliberately minimizes the people's access to information critical of him and his government. There might as well be an "iron curtain" between the Georgian people and the rest of the world. Unbelievable, and unforgivable, that America is supporting such a delusional, and almost insane, tyrant as Saakashvili. Saakashvili knows that all he needs to do to get American support is to trumpet his "love" of America, stroke the egos of some old senators, and offer up the lives and blood of his troops for Obama's occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq. The Georgian people will not remove Saakashvili from office. To do so requires independent thought (outside the Saakashvili propaganda realm), and this the Georgian people do not possess.