Abkhaz Side Ready for Talks with Georgia’s New Leadership

Maksim Gindjia, the head of the International Department of breakaway Abkhazia’s Foreign Ministry, said today the Abkhaz authorities are ready to continue talks with the Georgian side. 

“Primarily the Abkhaz leadership condemned the reshuffle of authorities in Tbilisi as a coup, but after the international community recognized the interim government, the Abkhaz side decided not to suspend ties with Tbilisi and continue the negotiating process,” Maksim Gindjia told Civil Georgia on December 1. 

“In prospect the Abkhaz side hopes that Georgia and Abkhazia, as two independent states, will develop mutual relations on equal terms,” Gindjia said, adding that the Abkhaz side does not intend to discuss the political status of Abkhazia.

Commenting on further talks between Tbilisi and Sukhumi, Maksim Gindjia said the talks were scheduled for summer between the Abkhaz and Georgian delegations in Tbilisi, however were postponed due to lack of security guarantees.

He said if the Georgian side offers talks and at the same time ensures safety of the Abkhaz delegation, the Abkhaz side is ready to visit Tbilisi. “However such a meeting is possible only after the presidential elections in Georgia [scheduled for January 4],” he added.

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