Abkhazian politician's statement on dialogue with Georgia causes resonance in Tbilisi

Abkhazian politician Sergey Shamba spoke in favour of starting a dialogue with Georgia. In Georgia, politicians voiced the need to develop relations between ordinary people. Dialogue can be hampered by Russia, and Sergey Shamba himself spoke about the coexistence of independent states, and that is unacceptable for Georgia, noted Tbilisi politicians.

On the air of the Radio "Ekho Moskvy", Sergey Shamba spoke for the beginning of the Abkhaz-Georgian dialogue.

"I do not treat Georgians are enemies. I have friends in Georgia. In fact, we had an ethnic conflict, but it was primarily of political nature," Sergey Shamba said.

On the air of the "Rustavi-2" TV Channel, Irakli Kobakhidze, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, has emphasized red lines in the Abkhaz-Georgian relations connected with the territorial integrity of Georgia.

Giorgi Tugushi, an MP from the opposition "European Georgia" Party, noted that it is necessary to resolve the issue to return internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Abkhazia. Giorgi Tugushi believes Abkhazia has no future with Russia.

Sergey Shamba sees the future of both sides as two independent neighbouring states, noted Korneli Kakachiya, the head for the Institute of Georgian Politics.

Vyacheslav Chirikba, the former Abkhazian Minister of Foreign Affairs, pointed out that "Georgians do not want to treat Abkhazia as a real partner."

No perspective negotiations with Georgia should be expected yet, believes Abkhaz journalist Anton Krivenyuk. According to him, both sides have no interest, and there are a lot of unresolved issues.