Tbilisi Lacks Levers to Stop Investment, Abkhaz Officials Say

Tbilisi can no longer exert influence on the Abkhaz economy, Stanislav Lakoba, secretary of the breakaway region?s National Security Council, said on July 31.

?Time has proven the futility of Tbilisi?s attempts to hinder the economic development of Abkhazia,? Abkhaz media sources quoted Lakoba as saying.

His comments follow a statement by Georgia?s deputy foreign minister, Giorgi Manjgaladze, who warned foreigners against investing in Abkhazia.

Kristian Bzhania, the Abkhaz leader?s spokesperson, told Apsnipress news agency on July 31 that Tbilisi?s warning was ?propaganda? which had nothing to do with the reality on the ground.

?Because they have no other levers, the only thing available is to disseminate disinformation,? Bzhania said.

Tbilisi?s warning is mostly targeted at Russia. Russian state agencies, officials and private companies are among those who have purchased assets, mainly holiday villas in Abkhazia, according to a document issued by the Georgian Ministry for Refugees and Accommodation.

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