Breakaway republics rebuke Georgian reconciliation minister

Abkhazia and South Ossetia have recently rejected offers to reboot relations that were made by Paata Zakareishvili, Minister for Reconciliation and Equal Rights of Georgia. Petre Mamradze, Head of the Institute for Strategic Management, said that Ossetians and Abkhazis had formed a feeling of distrust towards Georgia in the past 20 years and any public activeness, such as Zakareishvili’s offer to start from scratch, are taken as a maneuver to usurp their territory and force them back into Georgia.

Renaming Zakareishvili’s ministry from ‘reintegration’ to ‘reconciliation’ caused grievances as well. Moreover, the expert noted that reconciliation should be achieved without making loud public announcements, something also advised by Western partners. Mamradze proposed opening borders for Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The expert believes that the ministry itself should be disbanded and a direct dialogue with the breakaway republics established. Georgia should demonstrate that good life in Abkhazia and South Ossetia is important for it, he goes on.

Mamradze pointed out that Zakareishvili was disappointed with the process. The official used to be welcome to Abkhazia and South Ossetia until his appointment as the minister.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia have recently rejected offers to reboot relations that were made by Paata Zakareishvili, Minister for Reconciliation and Equal Rights of Georgia. Petre Mamradze, Head of the Institute for Strategic Management, said that Ossetians and Abkhazis had formed a feeling of distrust towards Georgia in the past 20 years and any public activeness, such as Zakareishvili’s offer to start from scratch, are taken as a maneuver to usurp their territory and force them back into Georgia.Renaming Zakareishvili’s ministry from ‘reintegration’ to ‘reconciliation’ caused grievances as well. Moreover, the expert noted that reconciliation should be achieved without making loud public announcements, something also advised by Western partners. Mamradze proposed opening borders for Abkhazia and South Ossetia.The expert believes that the ministry itself should be disbanded and a direct dialogue with the breakaway republics established. Georgia should demonstrate that good life in Abkhazia and South Ossetia is important for it, he goes on.Mamradze pointed out that Zakareishvili was disappointed with the process. The official used to be welcome to Abkhazia and South Ossetia until his appointment as the minister.