The Russian-backed authorities of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia rejected in their statements the Georgian Government’s new peace proposal intended to enhance economic and people-to-people exchanges between residents of the two regions and the rest of the country.

Commenting the proposal on April 4, Abkhaz “foreign minister” Daur Kove said Tbilisi had “exhausted its leverages of pressure on Abkhazia,” and was now “skilfully masking its real intentions” through demonstrating its “supposed friendliness” before the international community.

“I would like to call on the political leadership of Georgia to stop lying and serving its selfish ambitions,” Kove also noted, adding that the only “step towards a better future” was Tbilisi’s recognition of the “independence of the republic of Abkhazia,” and establishment of “full-fledged interstate dialogue.”

Tskhinvali authorities commented on the proposal yesterday, with their “foreign ministry” denouncing the Government’s new initiative as “yet another PR activity and its crude attempt to present Georgia before the international community as a peace-loving state with a constructive leadership.”

They also accused Tbilisi of trying to “entice the citizens of the republic of South Ossetia,” describing the proposal as “illusory and unrealistic.” “This is not the first time Tbilisi has voiced its desire to establish cooperation with South Ossetia, so it is hardly worth taking such statement seriously.”

Tskhinvali authorities then stressed that the only way forward was signing of a legally binding non-use of force agreement, recognition of the “independence of the republic of South Ossetia and the genocide of the South Ossetian nation.” “Only these decisions will contribute to interstate dialogue and cooperation between South Ossetia and Georgia.”