Abkhazian Foreign Ministry: the coronavirus pandemic is becoming the subject of political speculation in Georgia and is used to discredit Abkhazia in the eyes of the international community

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia.

Sukhum. April 21. Apsnypress. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia issued a statement in connection with the past videoconference of Georgian Prime Minister Georgy Gakhariya with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during which issues related to the coronavirus pandemic were discussed, and the “difficult situation in occupied territories.

 
 The statement in particular states:
 
 “During the press conference, Prime Minister of Georgia spoke in detail about the situation in the regions, using, obviously, the set of phrases necessary in such cases. It is symptomatic that a substantive discussion of problems so urgent for the entire region was not without politicization and labeling. Even the coronavirus pandemic threatening the world today is becoming the subject of political speculation in Georgia and is used to discredit the Republic of Abkhazia in the eyes of the international community.
 
 It is of serious concern that the Georgian authorities, along with their European partners, stubbornly continue to use rhetoric in their statements, which contradicts the objective political reality prevailing in the South Caucasus. The absolutely far-fetched and false thesis about the “occupied territories”, which was adopted by the Georgian authorities as a fight against the phantom “Russian threat”, continues to be actively exploited. It’s sad that such a provocative policy of Georgia is actively encouraged by EU representatives. ”
 
 The statement of the Foreign Ministry of Abkhazia emphasizes: “The Republic of Abkhazia is an independent state that has no relation to Georgia. The discussion of any issues affecting the interests of the Republic of Abkhazia without the participation of its representatives is regarded as an open and gross interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. If the EU representatives are really interested in providing appropriate assistance to the Republic of Abkhazia, then this could be the subject of discussion directly between the official authorities of Abkhazia and the European Union. ”