Vice Foreign Minister Maxim Gunjia received delegation from the European Council headed by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Mr. Thomas Hammarberg.

On the 13 th of February 2007 Vice Foreign Minister Maxim Gunjia received delegation from the European Council headed by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner's Political Advisor Mr. Marc Scheuer, Mr. Alexandre Guessel and Mr. Roman Chlapak.

Issues related to the situation on human rights in Abkhazia as well as the Georgian-Abkhaz negotiation process and its effectiveness were discussed during the meeting. "Abkhazia could unilaterally adopt Human Rights Convention of the European Council" - Thomas Hammamberg said. Vice Minister expressed his gratitude for the visit and said: "Despite unrecognized status, Abkhazia considers itself as member of the International Community. Abkhazia is ready to implement same human rights norms and obligations as all other members of the democratic community".

Parliamentary Assembly of European Council Strasburg

To: Chairperson of the Committee on
the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments
by Member States of the Council of Europe
Mr. Edward Lintner

To: Chairperson of the Committee of Political Affairs
Mr. Abdülkadir Ates,

Dear Mr. Lintner,
Dear Mr. Ates!

In view of the upcoming joint meeting of the Monitoring and Political Affairs Committees of Parliamentary Assembly of European Council, scheduled for 21 January 2007, and discussing issues relating to the situation in Georgia, including the Georgian-Ossetian and Georgian-Abkhaz conflicts, the Republic of Abkhazia would like to take this opportunity to express its commitment and readiness to participate in the work of this joint meeting of Committees. Inviting a representative of the Republic of Abkhazia will further facilitate the Committees' aim of attaining and identifying objective and accurate information about ongoing events.

Ongoing negotiations at an international level have set a precedent for the inclusion of a representative from the Republic of Abkhazia with precisely this objective in mind. We welcome initiative of the Russian Federation to invite the representative of Abkhazia to partake in the scheduled discussions attempting to bring settlement to the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, led by United Nations, Russian Federation as facilitator and a Group of Friends of the UN Secretary-General, This invitation is based on the reasonable belief that an objective understanding of events and the pursuit of a sustainable solution both require listening to both sides of the conflict.

Considering, however, the unambiguous opposition of the leadership of Georgia to representatives of the Republic of Abkhazia partaking in high level international fora, their objection is likely to represent a significant obstacle to Abkhazia's participation.

An additional concern of the Republic of Abkhazia is the potential participation of representatives from the so-called "Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia in Exile." This illegitimate body had been considerably intensified in recent months creating preconditions for the alteration of the current format of the Georgian-Abkhaz negotiation process. "Government in Exile" is responsible for a number of aggressive terrorist actions directed towards the Republic of Abkhazia and aiming to discredit the international standing of the Republic of Abkhazia, should not be considered a party to the conflict, nor a representative voice of either side.

Negotiations are at present nearing a stalemate, and the situation in the Security Zone has of late deteriorated considerably. This is a crucial point at which the Parliamentary Assembly of European Council, with an objective well-informed evaluation, could prevent further armed conflict and contribute to regional peace and stability.

Abkhazia's decade-long economic and political isolation, a consequence of Georgia 's policy of sanctions, continues to place substantial limits on economic and social expansion in the Republic of Abkhazia , to the detriment of ordinary citizens.

The Republic of Abkhazia has repeatedly affirmed its belief in and adherence to democratic principles, and the upcoming parliamentary elections will serve as yet further evidence of the Republic's commitment to democracy and international standards of good governance. The authorities and people of the Republic of Abkhazia will accept and encourage objective international evaluation of these parliamentary elections, and the Republic of Abkhazia is also ready to provide all necessary support should the Parliamentary Assembly of European Council express a desire to conduct its own monitoring of the elections.

There is a need for new approaches to the pursuit of a sustainable and comprehensive peace. This will require strong leadership and a willingness to look beyond traditional models for negotiations in pursuit of the overriding aim of a sustainable and lasting peace, premised on basic respect for all democratic parties.

Sukhum, 18/01/2007

Visit of the UNPO Secretary General to Abkhazia

The General Secretary of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), Mr. Marino Busdachin, paid a visit to Abkhazia from 19 until 21 September this year. This was the first visit of Mr. Busdachin to Abkhazia and the second visit of the UNPO General Secretary. In context of his visit, Mr. Busdachin also took part at the international conference held in Pitsunda at the time...