Expert: Armenian goods transit through Abkhazia may be blocked

PanARMENIAN.Net - Normalization of Russian-Georgian relations through solution of a number of issues to boost the process has long been a subject of discussions among politicians and experts, a Caucasus expert said.

As Alexander Krylov told PanARMENIAN.Net debates around the issue intensified after Georgian opposition’s parliamentary win. “Drastic steps to normalize ties need to be taken in near future to avoid missing opportunities. The process will be harder to launch as the effect from the opposition victory wears off,” the expert said.

“Opening of Abkhazian railway section would prove reconciliation process has started, with Russian market allowing access to Georgian products. Restoration of diplomatic ties could easily follow normalization of economic relations,” the expert said.

“However, with Abkhazia and South Ossetia issues, the situation won’t be so easy to handle. Even technically, Georgia and Russia won’t be able to open the railway section without a prior agreement of Abkhazian authorities. And the latters won’t permit it without significant concessions from Tbilisi, which it is highly unlikely to make,” the expert said.

“Also, Georgia’s partnership with Azerbaijan and Turkey exacerbates the problem. Aware of Tbilisi’s dependence, its neighbors will do their best to disallow transportation of Armenian goods through Abkhazia, by keeping the railway section blocked,” the expert said.

“Superpowers outside the region are not interested in strengthening of Russia’s influence in South Caucasus. Even Armenian Diaspora’s potential won’t be strong enough to promote the unblocking of Abkhazia section in the U.S. and EU. Thus, finding economically advantageous transportation routes remains among key issues in Armenia,” the expert stressed.