Foreign Minister of Breakaway Abkhazia Resigns

Viacheslav Chirikba, who was breakaway Abkhazia’s foreign minister since October, 2011, announced about resignation late on Tuesday evening.

“In the existing circumstances, I see no possibility for myself to continue working in the capacity of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Abkhazia,” Chirikba said without elaborating in a brief written statement, posted on foreign ministry’s website on September 20. “I express hope that the country’s foreign political course will remain unchanged.”

Chirikba’s resignation comes about seven weeks after Abkhaz leader, Raul Khajimba, appointed chief of his administration and former head of Gagra district, ex-MP Beslan Bartsits, 38, as new Prime Minister, replacing Artur Mikvabia.

Chirikba also was the chief Abkhaz negotiator at the Geneva international discussions – a negotiating format launched after the August, 2008 war and which also include participants from Tbilisi and Tskhinvali, as well as Russian and U.S. officials; talks are co-chaired by EU, UN and OSCE representatives. Next round of the Geneva talks are scheduled for October 4-5.