Author: Maria Platonova, Volgograd, exclusively for VK
The Head of the Sukhumi Municipality, Konstantin Pilia, talks to VK about the contacts of Sukhumi with other cities, the hopes of the country for recognition and relations with Tbilisi after the change of Georgian government.
VK: How are you developing relations with the Commonwealth of Non-Recognized Countries? Which projects exist on the level of the cities?
KP: We maintain relations with some twin cities and with the non-recognized states of the post-Soviet space. At the moment, culture is the main sphere of cooperation, we invite young people and organize sporting events. The non-recognized states of post-Soviet space have some common problems that we discuss and with whom we share our experiences. In addition, we have some close connections with several Russian cities.
We signed a cooperation treaty with Volgograd and hope that it will become our twin city. We maintain good relations with many cities of the North Caucasus and Krasnodar.
VK: With which other cities does Sukhumi have connections?
KP: Recently the Turkish city of Side became our twin city. We received their official delegation and, among other issues, discussed the prospects of the recognition of our republic. It was a meeting of municipalities, so we could not discuss it officially, but we talked about it in-between. We have close connections with Turkey and many things bring us together. Turkey has a large Abkhaz diaspora, muhajirs came to us in difficult times to support us. We have economic and cultural connections and we cooperate in several spheres, therefore it is not impossible that Turkey would recognize Abkhazia in
the near future.
VK: How are relations between Sukhumi and Tbilisi or other Georgian cities? Do you implement any common projects at municipal level?
KP: We do not have any relations with Georgia, neither at state nor at municipal level. This is not because we do not want these contacts, but because of the current political situation. One cannot think about any contacts or cooperation between Tbilisi and Sukhumi before Georgia recognizes Abkhazian independence. Of course there are some connections, but they remain at the personal level.
VK: What has been the influence of the new Georgian government on relations with Abkhazia? Are there any developments?
KP: Recently there have been some positive trends in Georgian politics. The new power wants to develop some contacts, there were some talks about restoring the railway connection. We are not against it, but, I repeat, before the key issue of our recognition is not resolved, it is too early to talk about any serious changes in the relations between Sukhumi and Tbilisi.
