Aslan Bzhania, the de facto President of Georgia’s currently Russian-occupied Abkhazia region, this week claimed all representatives of the Georgian Government “except” the President seemed “pragmatic” while considering “existing challenges”. 

In his comments, Bhzania said he did not rule out “something being achieved” as part of the Geneva International Discussions over Georgia’s conflict issues. 

“I think they [the Georgian Government] understand that peace is a condition for the development of both Abkhazia and Georgia. I hope it is so," Bzhania told the Russian media.

He added the occupied region in Georgia’s north-west “wants to have normal good-neighborly relations with all neighbors, including Georgia".

"If the Georgian state recognizes the independence of Abkhazia, then we will also discuss the possibility of establishing trade and economic relations”, he said. 

Russia recognized the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states following its invasion of the country back in 2008. 

Only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have joined Moscow’s stance so far.