Russia denies claims about Abkhazia's annexation
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
Moscow has rejected the claims that the newly signed treaty between Russia and Georgia's breakaway region Abkhazia is a step towards to annex Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said there cannot be any question about annexations.
“Abkhazia and South Ossetia have been our partners for six years. We have recognized them as independent and sovereign states,” he said on November 25.
Karasin added that the agreement with Abkhazia is completely a transparent document which envisages broadening of universal interaction to strengthen the common security space.
"Those, who believed that Russia had plans about annexation, absorption and expansion, were probably the people who were behind the Eastern Partnership program," Karasin said.
The treaty between Russia and the separatist Abkhazia will come into force on January 1, 2015. It outlines the creation of a common defense and security space, implementation of a coordinated foreign policy and establishment of a common social and economic area.
The pact underlined that any armed attack on Abkhazia would be considered an attack on Russia, and the Russian forces will support Abkhazia to defend its borders. The agreement also pledges to expand the list of countries recognizing Abkhazia’s independence.
Karasin said Russia will spare no effort, nerves, financial expenses to make ensure the safety and security of its neighbors.
Georgian armed forces launched military actions in the territory of its South Ossetia region on August 8, 2008. They clashed with Russian military troops and were forced to leave the region. Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. Tbilisi strictly condemned Russia's actions and broke off diplomatic relations with Moscow to recognize Abkazia and South Ossetia as occupied territories.