"The agreement with Russia has eliminated almost all military and political risks"
Abkhazia plans to receive a record number of tourists this year, including thanks to the opening of the airport, the republic's Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits told Izvestia. Sukhum is also working to increase exports to Russia and is interested in strengthening military cooperation. Abkhazia is also building partnerships with other participants on the world stage: Latin American countries, Syria. Sukhum is also interested in joining the Union State format. Russia is also helping the republic to establish international contacts. Oleg Bartsits spoke about plans for cooperation with the EAEU, relations with Tbilisi and the relocation of the venue of the Geneva discussions in an exclusive interview with Izvestia.
"My first visit is to Russia"
— This is your first visit to Moscow after taking office. It was reported that you and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will discuss security issues and the implementation of socio-economic projects. What topics and projects are particularly relevant right now?
— Of course, after taking office, my first visit was to Russia. Moscow and Sukhum are strategic partners and allies. On June 6, negotiations took place with my esteemed colleague, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov. We had a very interested and responsible dialogue. We have touched upon almost the entire range of issues that exist in our strategic alliance. There are important issues for the life of our country that are of interest to the citizens of Abkhazia. First of all, these are security issues, the formation of a common space, a common security contour in the region of the South Caucasus and the Eastern Black Sea region.
Of course, the issues of socio-economic cooperation and cooperation between Abkhazia and Russia were touched upon. The Russian Federation provides extensive support, providing conditions for our sustainable socio-economic development.
From left to right: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Abkhaz Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits
Issues of consular cooperation were discussed. We recently exchanged instruments of ratification with Russia, which regulate dual citizenship agreements between our countries. This is how our citizens receive significant benefits and support from the Russian Federation.
Aspects of international cooperation were also touched upon. Abkhazia is pursuing a dynamic and active policy in this direction. We cooperate with partner countries that have recognized our state sovereignty. We will continue to increase cooperation with these countries and look for ways for wider recognition of our state sovereignty by third countries.
— The trade turnover between Russia and Abkhazia increased by 60% in 2024 compared to four years ago. Is there a request to increase trading volume?
— Our economic relations are developing dynamically. The list and range of goods that we exchange is growing. Abkhazia does not produce enough to supply very large volumes of its products to the Russian market, but this is an important area that we must develop.
Today, tourism is the engine of our national economy. A small Abkhazia with a population of less than 300 thousand people receives about a million-plus Russian tourists every season.
But we have to achieve a greater effect. It will become much bigger if we dynamically develop other industries, such as agriculture. Abkhaz products are in demand in the neighboring Russian market. Therefore, we must enter the friendly market in a proper and predictable volume. All necessary measures are being taken for this.
We have a clear understanding of how the agricultural sector should develop, and similar programs are already being implemented with the help of the Russian Federation. Our enterprises, even if they are small, will definitely supply their environmentally friendly products to the Russian market.
The bulk of our imported goods are products from Russia. Our departments responsible for foreign economic activity — the Ministry of Economy of Abkhazia and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation — work closely together. Interdepartmental relations have been actively developing recently.
"The geography of flights is expanding"
— An airport was opened in Sukhumi this year. From which other cities are the launch of direct flights to the capital of Abkhazia being discussed?
— The opening of our air harbor, which has been operational for more than 30 years, is a very important event for the citizens of Abkhazia. In addition, a higher-level railway connection has been established. Branded trains "Dioscuria" and "Swallow" run regularly.
The geography of flights is expanding: Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, flights to Moscow — all this is gaining momentum, and we plan that the number of such flights will grow in the near future.
Sukhum Airport
Charter carriers of the travel operator Biblio-Globus will begin their regular scheduled flights on June 12. This is a serious component of our cooperation.
— And what kind of tourist flow from Russia is expected this year?
— We expect it to be a record season. Today we are ready to receive a record number of tourists. In this regard, new tourist routes are being developed. The relevant departments are actively discussing the quality of the tourism product that we are obliged to provide to our guests.
A large-scale international tourism forum will be held at VDNKh in a few days. And Abkhazia is taking part there: a stand-exposition will be located among other foreign participants. I am sure that this season will be record-breaking in terms of saturation, quantity and quality of services offered.
"Strengthening military cooperation is one of the cornerstones"
— Regarding military cooperation, a material and technical base for the Russian Black Sea Fleet will be built in the area of the city of Ochamchira in Abkhazia.
— These are the questions of military specialists. But the very fact that the base for maintenance and repair of ships of the Black Sea Fleet is opening is an important event. Today, in such an important and sensitive geostrategic location as the South Caucasus and the Eastern Black Sea region, we regard the deployment of such a point, where ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet can be serviced promptly, as an additional factor of stability and opportunities to ensure high standards of security in the region.
— How, in general, is military cooperation between Moscow and Sukhum developing now? And do you expect to strengthen it?
— Strengthening military cooperation is one of the cornerstones in our common allied format. Our Ministry of Defense and Russia have been working closely together for a long time. Abkhazia participates annually in the military games in the Russian Federation.
Our military leaders, most of whom studied at higher military educational institutions in Russia, know their partners very well and have been cooperating for a long time. We attach great importance to this. These are issues of the defense capability of a small country, and it is precisely the military treaty with the Russian Federation that has largely eliminated almost all military and political risks and provides stability and conditions for the sustainable development of our country.
"It would be a priority interest for us to join the Union State format."
— Abkhazia and South Ossetia may request observer status in the EAEU. Is Sukhum interested in obtaining such a status? And is there, in general, a possibility for Abkhazia to become an observer in the organization?
— Our goal is to expand international recognition. My deep conviction is that Abkhazia is a priori an integral part of the Eurasian and post—Soviet space. There is nothing wrong with the fact that we are not recognized by the majority of these countries. We aim to cooperate in various formats. We will talk to all those who are ready to hear us.
We aim at constructive partnership with countries that are traditionally understandable to us, and once formed a single whole with us, which included us. We will act in this direction, trying to join any formats, including in the Eurasian space.
— And what are the prospects for Abkhazia in the context of establishing contacts with the Union State? Is work currently underway in this direction, and have any concrete results been achieved?
— As far as I know, we have not made such great progress in this direction. I believe that it would be a priority interest for us to join the Union State format. This is the amount of cooperation that would satisfy our basic interests. We will definitely contact relevant officials in this area and think about how to bring positions closer.
— Abkhazia's sovereignty has now been recognized by 5 UN member states, as well as several republics with partially recognized or unrecognized status. Is Sukhum working with other members of the international community on this issue?
— Of course. We want as many countries in any region of the world to know about us as possible, and we are actively working to achieve this. We value the relations that have developed with the States that have recognized our State sovereignty. These are also Latin American countries.: Venezuela, Nicaragua. In the near future, I will travel to Nicaragua for the next anniversary of the celebration of the Sandinista Revolution. We have outlined a fairly extensive program of stay and work in this friendly country.
The situation is the same with Venezuela. We have traditionally been building partnership and friendly relations with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for many years.
Abkhaz Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits gives an interview to Izvestia
We also have diplomatic relations with the Syrian Arab Republic, which has recently undergone a political and social transformation. Nevertheless, we managed to maintain our relationship. We are in communication with our Syrian colleagues, and we are very interested and sympathetic to the successful attempts to achieve the lifting of sanctions, which is already happening.
We will continue to build partnerships with friendly countries and look for new opportunities to attract a number of other states that would like to cooperate with us. Our Russian friends provide us with invaluable support in this — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides all the assistance, the whole range of consulting, partnership relations and services. With the help of our Russian colleagues, I am convinced that we will succeed in different regions of the world.
— Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are discussing a new venue for discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia, which are taking place in Geneva. Are there already certain agreements and what are the most viable options for postponing the discussions?
— Both the Abkhaz side and our friends from South Ossetia have repeatedly stressed the possibility of indicating our position on the postponement of the venue of the Geneva discussions. The receiving party does not demonstrate objectivity and often accepts the position of only one side. We are seriously thinking about changing the location for the Geneva format discussions.
I am now deliberately not going to identify those countries that could be acceptable or preferable, so that our opponents do not start preventive work with them. I think that if not about the next round, which will take place in a short time, then at least we will seriously think about the next rounds.
Perhaps the situation will change for the better and our negotiating colleagues will realize that it is better to adhere to objective assessments. We really hope so.
"The ball is on Georgia's side"
— Earlier, the ruling Georgian Dream party promised to apologize to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Are there any signals from Tbilisi now to improve relations, and is Abkhazia ready to enter into a dialogue with Georgia?
— Of course, it's good that such statements are being made. We are closely monitoring their appearance in the media field. At the same time, we are clearly aware of the fact that declarations must be followed by real steps.
View of Tbilisi, Georgia
One of the cornerstones of our international Geneva discussions is the issue of a legally binding document that Georgia must adopt: the non-use of military force. We constantly emphasize this, and at the moment there is no progress in this. Georgia refuses to make such commitments. And this, as you know, does not contribute to the growth of trust. I believe that the ball is on Georgia's side. We want to see real steps that support these statements — this would help increase the percentage of trust.
— What is the current situation on the border with Georgia? Are there any provocations?
— The situation is stable and calm. The situation is under the control of the Abkhaz border guards and our Russian colleagues: the eastern border along the Ingur River in Abkhazia is guarded by joint efforts. Clear cooperation has been established here for a long time. If there are occasional rough spots, the Abkhaz and Russian sides have more than enough funds to deal with such challenges. Therefore, the overall situation is calm and stable, and we continue to address our issues.
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