Levan Mikaa: "Restoring Diplomatic Relations between Georgia and Russia Means Recognising Abkhazia"
Interview with Levan Mikaa [Apsny Khabar]
Georgia is not ready to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia; it will develop economic ties with Russia but will not restore diplomatic relations, said Abkhazian politician Levan Mikaa in an interview with journalist Elena Zavodskaya from “Apsny Khabar”.
— Levan, Chinese investors are building a port in Anaklia, practically on the border between Georgia and Abkhazia. Recently, information has emerged that Georgia is showing some initiatives to establish diplomatic relations with Russia. How would you characterise this situation, and what is your perspective on it?
— These two pieces of information are unrelated, so let's address them separately. Regarding the resumption of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia, there is no official data from Georgia. There are only rumours and talks that they are preparing. It seems to me that a resumption will not happen in the near future because Georgia has enacted a law “On Occupied Territories,” and we do not see any prerequisites for repealing this law. Repealing this law and restoring diplomatic relations would effectively mean recognising Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which, in my opinion, Georgia is not ready for today. Georgian society lives in myths, desires to restore so-called territorial integrity, and so on. They need to realistically look at today's geopolitical situation, which has already developed here in the South Caucasus, but we do not see these tendencies. Therefore, no diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia are expected in the near future.
But this does not mean that economic relations will not develop. Georgia has become a hub for Russia regarding sanctioned goods. The trade turnover is very large. Tourism is developing in Georgia thanks to Russian tourists. And the IT sector has been significantly boosted by Russian relocates. Therefore, economic relations will develop, but diplomatic and political relations, I think, are not expected in the near future.
As for the construction of the port in Anaklia, I think this is a completely different matter. As is known, there is significant trade between Europe and China. Most of this trade goes through Russia by rail. But now an alternative route has been created: China-Kazakhstan, then by barge across the Caspian to Baku. Several rail routes are being considered from there through Türkiye, the so-called Zangezur corridor. This is one route being considered, and the second route is from Baku to Georgia, Tbilisi, and the port of Anaklia. From there, Chinese goods will be shipped to Europe by sea. This route bypasses Russia.
So, on the one hand, Georgia is establishing economic relations with Russia, and on the other hand, Georgia is laying a transport artery through its territory that bypasses Russia, which is not beneficial for Russia because it bypasses it. This is the geopolitical reality. Georgia has defined its place in this geopolitical field. It will build equidistant relations with Russia—economic, but not diplomatic. They have strategic alliances planned with China, and therefore Georgia wants to play the role of a hub not only towards Russia but also towards the entire South Caucasus and China.
Georgia pursues a policy exclusively in its own interests, not in the interests of Russia. Today, it is profitable for them to trade with Russia, so they trade. Tomorrow, trade with China will increase, and they will strengthen trade with China.
— Do you not think that Georgia has begun to pivot towards Russia and is moving away from the West – Europe and America?
— I would put it this way: it’s not that Georgia is moving away, but rather the West is withdrawing from the South Caucasus. The influence of the West is diminishing in the South Caucasus. This was evident during the Karabakh war and the overall situation around the Caucasus. Much depends, by the way, on the US elections. After all, Trump is a supporter of America's isolationist policy, non-interference in other matters. He is more concerned with the situation in America itself. Therefore, regional powers like China, Russia, Türkiye, and Iran will see the zone of US interests decrease in their areas of interest. The West cannot particularly help Georgia today, neither in a military-strategic sense nor in any other, and it will not interfere in any conflict situations if they arise for Georgia. Thus, it seems to me, they are navigating these waters. Culturally, Georgia wants to define itself as part of the West, but in terms of geostrategy, it will play the role of a mediator between various influential forces, primarily Russia, China, Türkiye and Iran.
— Do you believe there is no prospect that, at some stage, Russia might withdraw its recognition of Abkhazia or encourage Abkhazia to join Georgia to establish closer relations with Georgia?
— Today, the geopolitical reality is such that Abkhazia, as an independent state, which has already taken its place in our region, is a fait accompli. Thirty years is a significant period for the existence of an independent state that has experienced a blockade and many challenges in its recent history. I think this is out of the question. Everyone understands that a new generation has grown up in a free country. The people here have been brought up in the spirit of independence. Therefore, I think it is politically impossible.
What dangers and difficulties do I see? Abkhazia is entering a new world where international and oligarchic capital has become interested in Abkhazia. The main issue here is maintaining control over resources by the Abkhaz state. Lately, I have been very nervous because I constantly hear about land plots being sold here and there, and there is a frenzy around selling the homeland. This worries me greatly. If the coastal strip, which is the most promising for Abkhazia's future, is divided and sold... We don’t even know who is behind one commercial project or another. It is so hidden: offshore companies behind other offshore companies, and you can't find the ultimate beneficiary. Unfortunately, our authorities are demonstrating and promoting such a sell-off of Abkhazia. This, I think, is the biggest danger for us, because 10-15-20 years ago, there was no such interest in Abkhazia. Investors want to buy up everything to use it for their purposes in the future.
— In the current situation, considering the port of Anaklia, Georgia's relations with China, and Russia's role, how should Abkhazia and its leadership behave, and what place can Abkhazia take?
— We have already historically taken this place. We defended our homeland with weapons in hand and paid a very high price for it. Revising this position is no longer possible. I think the main thing here is to strengthen our achievements and our sovereignty.
Even looking at Russia as an example, Vladimir Putin, how he protects his national interests economically and politically. Isn’t that an example?
For instance, there are many temptations to shift responsibility to some investors. Currently, it’s popular to say, let’s invite investors, and they will protect us, feed us, and quench our thirst. I want to warn everyone that free cheese only comes in a mousetrap. We must not abandon such fundamental things as independence and freedom. For the sake of some attractive goals, so to speak, we could lose everything. We need to strive to strengthen the state, its sovereignty, and democratic freedoms, where there is an understanding between the people and the leadership, where there are common goals. Unfortunately, I don’t see this now. What I see is complete chaos. Private interests prevail and overshadow state interests. All of this cannot help but worry us. First of all, we need to develop the economy, small and medium businesses, and internal investors. Everything else, I think, is secondary.
— How can Abkhazia fit into this foreign policy framework? It is clear that the economy must develop, but in the current conditions and frameworks around us today, Abkhazia cannot develop in isolation from the foreign policy situation, can it?
— I would not directly link transit issues with development. Transit can develop through our ports and towards the North Caucasus. This is a transit corridor that has existed since ancient times, but unfortunately, it is not operational today due to the lack of roads and infrastructure.
As for transit towards Georgia, this is an exclusively political issue. If transit goes through the territory of Abkhazia to Georgia and beyond, this would be an indirect recognition of Abkhazia. Georgia is not ready to recognise Abkhazia today. Therefore, they will strive to block this transit as much as possible. Thus, I believe this direction will not develop due to these political reasons. Regarding development, globalisation is advancing in other ways today. It is happening through information, the internet, and education. We need to invest in and develop in this direction. We need to develop the IT sector in Abkhazia. Here, I see no obstacles to development.
There are also two directions I have been considering. The first is integrating into this space while abandoning our own roots, assimilating. The second is developing these directions based on our traditional culture, without abandoning our roots. I am a proponent of developing on the basis of our own culture, moral values, and vision. Incidentally, Asian countries have taken this path. China, Japan, and South Korea have developed precisely based on their own values. They have succeeded, and we should take advantage of these examples and move in this direction.