About Civil.ge
Eng | Geo | Rus
Last updated: 10:55 - 1 May.'18
RSS
Mobile
Twitter
Facebook
Sokhumi Rules Out Referendum on Joining Russia
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 25 Mar.'14 / 23:57

Holding of a referendum in Abkhazia on whether to join Russia or not “is out of the question,” Kristian Bzhania, the Abkhaz leader’s spokesman, told Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress on March 25.

“We have been following discussions unfolding on the Internet, and to say the truth, we did not deem it necessary to comment on that in the virtue of an absolutely defined, consolidated position of the Abkhaz society and the authorities. At the same time, I want to draw your attention to the fact that the issue of joining or not joining Russia was raised in the context of recent developments in Ukraine and in Crimea not by the Abkhaz society and expert community, but by some Russian media outlets,” he said.

“It should be emphasized that the issue of joining the Russian Federation is not raised and is not even discussed in the Republic of Abkhazia, either by the public or by the authorities. Therefore, a referendum on this issue is out of the question,” Bzhania said.

“It will not be held not because someone is afraid of its results, but because there is no need for that at all,” he added.

Bzhania also reiterated Sokhumi’s “unconditional support” to the decision of incorporation of Crimea into Russia and said that it was “a just decision from any point of view.” He, however, also added Abkhazia is “completely different” case.

“As far as current Abkhaz-Russian relationship is concerned, it is developing rather dynamically, encompassing actually all the areas of mutual interest,” he said.

“Level and quality of this relationship does not leave space for above mentioned discussions” on whether to join or not Russia, Bzhania added.

On March 11 RFE/RL’s Russian-language Ekho Kavkaza posted on its website under the headline “All my life I dreamed of being part of Russia” vox pop interviews recorded in Sokhumi. But the story in which most of those interviewed spoke in favor of joining Russia was removed from the website upon author’s request after the latter became a target of attacks by online commentators, some calling her a “provocateur” for preparing vox pop in which many spoke in favor of joining Russia.

No recent opinion polls from the breakaway region are available. According to a public opinion survey that was conducted in Abkhazia in 2010 by Moscow-based Levada polling center, support for independence was stronger among ethnic Abkhaz respondents (79%), then in other ethnic groups residing in the breakaway region.

Latest News
01 May.'18 10:55
We Have Moved to a New Platform
Direct Your Bookmarks to https://civil.ge.
29 Apr.'18 03:54
Ruling Party Candidate Wins MP By-Elections
Givi Chichinadze will represent Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency in the Parliament of Georgia.
28 Apr.'18 09:40
Polls Open for Vani and Khoni MP By-Elections
48,123 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in Vani and Khoni single-mandate constituency.
27 Apr.'18 17:23
State Dept’s Europe Affairs Point Man to Visit Tbilisi
Wess Mitchell will meet senior government officials and address the NATO-Georgia Public Diplomacy Forum.
27 Apr.'18 13:45
In Quotes: Georgian Politicians on Ex-PM Bidzina Ivanishvili’s Comeback
Bidzina Ivanishvili will be approved as the Georgian Dream party chairman at the upcoming convention.
26 Apr.'18 18:15
SG Jens Stoltenberg: Georgia NATO’s ‘Very Close’ Partner
The NATO Secretary General says Foreign Ministers meeting tomorrow will recognize the country’s progress.
26 Apr.'18 14:24
Ex-PM Ivanishvili to Chair Georgian Dream Party
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said Ivanishvili was ‘best equipped’ to add new dynamism to the party.
26 Apr.'18 11:12
Lawmaker Proposes Criminal Liability for ‘Insult of Religious Feelings’
The parliamentary human rights committee decided to set up a working group for scrutinizing the draft law.
25 Apr.'18 17:21
New Abkhaz Government Head Appointed
Gennady Gagulia has served as the Abkhaz “prime minister” twice - in 1995-1997, and 2002-2003.
25 Apr.'18 14:43
Watchdog Improves Georgia’s Press Freedom Ranking
None of the countries of the former Soviet Union (except the Baltics) are ranked ahead of Georgia.

About Civil Georgia
Civil.Ge © 2001-2024, Daily News Online
Registered office: 2 Dolidze Str, 4-th Floor.
16