President Saakashvili said that a newly constructed road linking upper Kodori Gorge with Georgia proper was “a peace road” which would lead to Sokhumi.

The new road, which was officially opened by President Saakashvili at a ceremony on September 29, will be a vital link, enabling almost unrestricted overland access to the Tbilisi-controlled areas in breakaway Abkhazia.

The old bumpy road through the mountains is inaccessible for almost six months, especially during the winter, Roman Dalakishvili, the head of the State Department for Road Construction, told the president. The new one, he said, would be blocked only for two months in the winter period because of frequents avalanches.

Saakashvili said that providing security for the road would be of critical importance. One of the sections of the road, he said, lies just three kilometers from Abkhaz-controlled Tkvarcheli.

“I hope that they [the Abkhazians] don't  want to poke their noses here,” Saakashvili said. “Therefore, the police should patrol it and helicopters should also be involved.”