Georgia is preparing for the forcible return of Abkhazia, Sukhum said

The statement by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, rejecting the possibility of signing an agreement on the non-use of force with the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of South Ossetia, is deeply destructive and confirms Tbilisi's unwillingness to engage in real dialogue. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia Odyssey Bigvava.

"We categorically reject Tbilisi's use of the terms "occupation" and "separatist regions." Abkhazia is a sovereign state whose independence was the result of the free will of the people after the Georgian—Abkhaz war of 1992-1993. The Russian Federation acts as a guarantor of our security on the basis of interstate treaties, which complies with the norms of international law. Georgia has been using rhetoric about the "peaceful restoration of territorial integrity" for decades, implying the forcible return of Abkhazia. Recall that it was Tbilisi that unleashed the war in 1992, which led to a humanitarian catastrophe. Kobakhidze's statements today are a continuation of the policy of revanchism enshrined in Georgian legislation (Article 3 of the Constitutional Law "On Occupied Territories")," Bigvava said.

He stressed that the demand of Abkhazia and Russia for a legally binding document is the minimum guarantee of stability. The Abkhaz Foreign Ministry is confident that Georgia's refusal to sign such an agreement proves that Tbilisi retains force scenarios as a policy tool. This is confirmed by the militarization of border areas and regular joint exercises of the Georgian and NATO armed forces, Bigvava said.

"The reason for the stagnation of negotiations is not the position of Russia or Abkhazia, but Georgia's unwillingness to discuss the key issue: legally enshrined guarantees of non—aggression. Tbilisi is blocking progress by demanding to discuss the "return of refugees" without acknowledging responsibility for the ethnic cleansing of the 1990s," Bigvava said.

The mention by the Georgian Prime Minister of "non—withdrawn troops," according to Bigvav, is double standards. Russian military facilities in Abkhazia are located on the basis of bilateral agreements and are a response to Georgia's aggressive policy. As for the "international observers", their access is possible only after Tbilisi recognizes the sovereignty of Abkhazia and stops the policy of isolating Abkhazia, Sukhum says.

"Kobakhidze's refusal from dialogue with Sukhum and Tskhinvali is evidence of the incapacity of Georgian diplomacy. Peace in the Caucasus is impossible without direct negotiations between Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Georgia with the mediation of Russia. As long as Tbilisi denies reality and ignores historical lessons, no negotiations will have prospects," Bigvava said.

According to him, Kobakhidze's statement sounds blasphemous, on the anniversary of the Georgian aggression on Tskhinval in August 2008, which brought grief to thousands of civilians of fraternal Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Irakli Kobakhidze said on August 8 that Georgia was not ready to sign a non-aggression pact with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"Of course, we are not ready for this. This is not serious for us as far as non-aggression is concerned. We declare one simple thing: the only way to restore territorial integrity is the peaceful way. We declare this, and there can be no talk about a document or an agreement," the Georgian Prime Minister said.