Recently the mayors of Sukhumi and Cherkessk signed an agreement on multilateral cooperation and development of fraternal links between the cities. After the signing, the main square of Karachay-Cherkessia saw the preparation of the longest shish-kebab in the world, made with the help of sponsorship money. A special skewer and brazier was made, and 80 professional shish-kebab chefs hired. This 120-metre skewer with 400 kg of shish-kebab on it may have been a prototype of the idea Moscow decided to support. Russia and Abkhazia had only one road along the sea connecting them through Sochi, but at the plenary session of the interregional conference of regional branches of the ‘United Russia’ party in the North Caucasian Federal District, the participants decided on constructing a Cherkessk-Sukhumi road together with their Abkhaz partners, which Russian Premier Putin supported.
Opponents of the project from Tbilisi wonder whether the money will be issued directly from Moscow or through the contractors in Sukhumi. Lobbyists for the project are more concerned about security than economic issues. Although the priority of this project is integration of the North Caucasus into a system of interregional and international economic links, large strategic projects, and development of infrastructure, it is obvious that the road construction has political goals too. It is a matter of security. The Russian government's slon.ru website characterized the road as a ready protective wall, crossing Abkhazia from the Russian border to the Black Sea. It is impossible to reach Sochi avoiding this road. Controlling the road will prevent unexpected guests at the Olympic Games. In addition, in case of conflicts with Georgia, the road will permit aid from Russia to arrive faster.
Moreover, Sukhumi traditionally expects a flow of Russian tourists. Abkhazia has been hoping for restoration of the well-known Soviet tourist routes in the upper part of the Kodori Gorge for a long time. Chairman of the state committee for resorts and tourism in Abkhazia, Tengiz Lakerbay, described the area's beautiful paths for active tourism, and the beautiful resort centers in Soviet times, one of which still exists. In March this year Abkhaz President Sergey Bagapsh talked about a road through the Kodori Gorge, to connect the Southern shelter of Abkhazia with the Northern on Dombay in Karachay-Cherkessia. It takes 16-17 hours to get here at the moment from Vladikavkaz, while the road will reduce this time by 5-6 hours, Bagapsh clarified, talking about freight transport. The Caucasian ridge used to be very popular even among foreign tourists. More detailed information on how to get to Abkhazia from Dombay will be given on VK in the near future in the ‘Tourism’ section.
Yekaterina Tesemnikova exclusively or VK
