Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia didn’t. That is why official media in these three countries didn’t pay much attention to Sergey Lavrov’s visit. Georgian politicians and journalists were worried about some of the foreign minister’s statements on Russia joining the WTO without Georgia's permission. The Azeribaijani media stressed the illegal status of Abkhazia as an independent state. Only the Abkhazian and South Ossetian media reported on Lavrov’s visit a lot, but coldly.
As a result of the meetings with the top administrations of the republics, several agreements were signed. The Russian and South Ossetian Ministers of Foreign Affairs signed an agreement on the establishment and maintenance of information and cultural centers. They exchanged notes on the deal on visa-free visits coming into force. They also signed a deal on the principles of cooperation and relations in transport.
In Abkhazia, an agreement on the opening and operation of information-cultural centers was signed. The row about returning property to Russian citizens in Abkhazia was also discussed by Lavrov and Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh on April 26, however, the results of their meeting are unknown.
Experts express various attitudes to the visit by the Russian minister for foreign affairs. Some think it was made to reduce tensions between Moscow and two republics. Others believe that Russia is trying to improve the international status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Probably, Lavrov just solved some everyday political and economic problems of the republics. Even though the republics are small, they have a lot of big problems.
Oleg Kushaty. Exclusively to VK
