Welcome to Issue 13 of the Abkhazia Weekly Brief, where we cover the notable developments from 8-14 July 2024.
According to Izida Chania, next week, Aslan Bzhania will appoint Sergey Shamba as Minister of Foreign Affairs, marking Shamba's third time in this role. Shamba, the current Secretary of the Security Council, has previously served as Foreign Minister for 13 years. Following Inal Ardzinba's departure, deputy ministers have been managing the role for the past three months. Shamba has agreed to take on this position again.
Sergey Shamba, born on 15 March 1951 in Gudauta, Abkhazia, is a prominent Abkhazian statesman, archaeologist, and Doctor of Historical Sciences. He graduated from Tbilisi State Pedagogical Institute in 1973. Shamba has held various significant roles: Chairman of "Aydgylara" (1990), First Deputy Minister of Defence (1993), Minister of Foreign Affairs (1997-2010), Prime Minister (2010), and Secretary of the Security Council (2020-present). He has authored four books and numerous scientific publications, contributing greatly to Abkhazia's national liberation movement and academic research.
Abkhazian MP Kan Kvarchia warns that before the summer recess, a new and more cunning apartment law might be presented to Parliament. He expressed concerns about an investment agreement with Russia, which seems to favour the other side without significant amendments. Kvarchia believes the proposed law targets eastern Abkhazia for economic support but sees it as a ploy to divide the region. He urged public opposition, highlighting the potential demographic impact and the threat to local businesses from larger Russian enterprises.
President Aslan Bzhania has submitted a draft agreement on Russian investments in Abkhazia to the parliament. The agreement aims to create a tax haven for large Russian companies, ensuring all invested money returns to the investor in full.
Head of the parliamentary committee, Beslan Khagush, supports the proposed agreement, stating it aims to create favourable conditions for Russian investors. However, independent economists and experts criticise the agreement as discriminatory, granting Russian businessmen immunity from Abkhazian laws that might affect their interests. They warn that these unprecedented preferences will make it impossible for local entrepreneurs to compete.
Economist Akhra Aristava criticised proposed Russian-Abkhazian investment agreement, stating it treats Abkhazia as a territory for exploitation by Russian businessmen. He finds it insulting given Abkhazia's history of war and blockade. Aristava argues that the agreement unfairly benefits Russian investors, exempting them from taxes and obligating Abkhazia to compensate them. He calls for consulting the public before making binding commitments with Russia.
Public figure Tengiz Dzhopua believes that the proposed agreement grants unprecedented privileges to foreign investors, making it impossible for Abkhaz entrepreneurs to compete. According to Dzhopua, these investors would be immune from Abkhazian laws if they conflict with their interests.
Former Abkhazian MP Natali Smyr analysed the Russian-Abkhaz intergovernmental agreement on Russian investment projects, calling it discriminatory. She believes the agreement unfairly favours Russian companies and disadvantages local Abkhaz businesses, creating an unbalanced and unjust economic environment.
Sasha Agrba: "A fish always rots from the head down!"
Every people, even the proudest, purest, most noble, and freedom-loving, need a leader!
There are no examples in human history of self-organisation without a leader and worthy elites that have achieved significant results in their development.
It is the elites that determine the development vector and establish the value priorities. The quality of the leaders determines the results.
If there is any blame on the people, and personally, I do not believe there is, it lies only in allowing themselves to be governed by such elites who fundamentally transformed the historical direction of the people and led them astray.
Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab commented on the road safety situation in Abkhazia, stating that speeding, drunk driving, and other traffic violations are the main causes of accidents. He emphasised shared responsibility for road safety. Ankvab noted that 39 out of 70 accidents in the past six months involved right-hand drive cars, calling for preventive measures for these drivers. He highlighted the profound impact of these accidents on families and the community.
Deputy Minister Colonel Beslan Chkadua reported that most recent accidents involve drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The July 8 raid resulted in 238 administrative violation reports, 12 driving licences suspended for drunk driving, and five vehicles impounded.
AbkhazWorld Podcast
In this episode we delve into the insightful work of the late Dr. Stephen Shenfield on the Origins and Evolutions of the Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict.
And the second episode of the AbkhazWorld Podcast, we explore Liana Kvarchelia’s article, originally published in 2021 in the collection “Abkhazia: Thorny Path to Freedom and Independence,” compiled by Natella Akaba.
Several Observations Related to the Perception of the Georgian-Abkhazian Conflict
Deputy Head of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mikhail Galuzin, confirmed the stability of the Russian-Abkhaz border following a shooting incident at the Psou checkpoint on 23 June. The incident, resulting from a property dispute, left three Abkhaz citizens injured and one dead. Local law enforcement promptly handled the situation, and seven suspects were detained.
The Abkhazian State Department for Language Policy presented five audiobooks in the Abkhaz language, as announced by head Gunda Kvitsinia. The project, focusing on children's literature, aims to promote the Abkhaz language among the youth. They have launched Telegram and YouTube channels for sharing children's poetry and stories. The department also plans to fund an Abkhaz animated film by 2025.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the 2024-2026 Scientific and Technical Programme "Addressing Current Issues in Abkhazian and Caucasian Studies." It includes tasks like developing a History of Abkhazia concept, creating educational materials, compiling foreign sources on Abkhazian history, establishing a National Digital Corpus of the Abkhaz Language, digitising all Abkhaz-language publications, and studying traditional Abkhaz culture. The programme is funded with 16 million roubles from the state budget.
The grand opening of the 22nd Music Festival "Hibla Gerzmava Invites..." is set to take place in Sukhum on 15th July. Created by the renowned opera diva Hibla Gerzmava in 2001, this festival has been held annually in Abkhazia.
This year, for the first time, the festival will feature Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra. Accompanied by the orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gergiev, soloists from the Mariinsky Theatre Opera Company and Hibla Gerzmava herself will perform.
“Abkhazia and the Italian City-States of the 13th-15th Centuries,” a book by Prof. Viacheslav Chirikba, is now available in Turkish. APRA Yayincilik has published the Turkish edition, translated by Dr. Gulzhanat Sakenova.
Hoping to share another issue with you next Sunday. Have a great day and a wonderful week!