Tbilisi, Moscow Engaged in Abkhazia Railway Row

Georgian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Russian Ambassador to Vladimir Chkhikvishvili to express protest over, as Tbilisi put it, ?unilateral and illegal? decision of Moscow to resume railway connection with unrecognized Abkhazian Republic.

In a statement issued on September 10, the Georgian Foreign Ministry described the move as ?a violation of Georgia’s sovereignty.? The railway connection between Moscow and Sokhumi, capital of Georgia?s breakaway Abkhazia was resumed on September 10.

According to the agreement signed by the Presidents of Russia and Georgia in March, 2003, the return of internally displaced persons to Abkhazia and resumption of the railway should be simultaneous processes.

However, Ambassador Chkhikvishvili told the reporters after meeting with the Georgian Foreign Ministry officials that Russia ?is not violating the agreements.?

?The sides have agreed earlier that it is not always necessary to synchronize these two processes ? return of the IDPs and resumption of the railway [communication] – if there is a progress in one direction, we should not stop and should move further,? Vladimir Chkhikvishvili said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued on September 10, that restoration of railway will benefit the entire South Caucasus region, including Georgia and Armenia.