The Speaker of Georgia’s Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, has said stability was unachievable in any territory under occupation, citing developments in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia region.
Papuashvili stressed the need for the region’s reintegration within a united Georgia to ensure long-term peace and prosperity.
“In any area where there are no institutions and there is an occupation rule, stability is impossible,” Papuashvili remarked. He emphasized that the well-being of Abkhazia and its citizens depends on the region’s development within the framework of Georgia’s territorial unity. “Any such gray zones created by the occupation regime are always a source of destabilization,” he added.
Tensions flared in Abkhazia as protests erupted over a controversial draft agreement granting preferential terms to Russian investors. A de facto parliamentary vote on the proposal, scheduled for today, was postponed. Despite this, demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building, demanding the resignation of de facto President Aslan Bzhania.
Protesters eventually stormed the parliament, prompting the use of tear gas by security forces. In response to the unrest, Bzhania’s de facto administration announced plans to withdraw the draft law from consideration, according to his press office.
Asked whether the situation constitutes an attempt at annexation by Russia, Papuashvili downplayed such claims. “I could not call it an attempt of annexation,” he said, noting that concerns about a transition to annexation policies have been raised for years in relation to other countries.
