Resuming rail links through Abkhazia runs into political complications: Oleg Bartsits

Oleg Barcitz, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, commented to Alpha News on the sidelines of the 10th International Conference “Russia and the World: Dialogues 2026” on whether direct rail service between Armenia and Russia via Abkhazian territory could be restored.

“Abkhazia adheres to an entirely clear and fair principle: all those who are prepared to engage in dialogue with us, we, in turn, face them openly and are ready to discuss projects. At the same time, a number of conditions naturally need to be met, and those conditions must mature. Today Abkhazia is developing its transit, transport, and logistics potential intensively. A container terminal for sea freight in the city of Ochamchire is already nearing completion. This project is also being realized with the assistance of Russian investors. The Abkhazian government and leadership have granted all necessary preferences and conditions for the implementation of this large-scale project. We are already testing these logistics chains, and they undoubtedly have a great future. Even now, a number of countries are actively signaling their interest in Abkhazia’s maritime and transport capabilities as a transit hub for getting their goods to the vast and friendly Russian market. The reverse chain will also be developed,” Bartsits said.

According to the minister, Georgia refuses to recognize the established status quo, which is why the railway question runs into political complications.

“As for rail links, there are a number of complications. Chief among them is the position of the Republic of Georgia, our neighbours, who, with a stubbornness that would be better applied elsewhere, refuse to acknowledge the realities of the established status quo in the region. We are actively discussing this at the Geneva International Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia. The next round will take place at the end of June, and I will again lead the delegation of the Republic of Abkhazia. We will once again be bringing to the attention of all participants the fact that a new reality has taken shape in the region, one that emerged 18 years ago and that all parties would do well to take into account,” Bartsits noted.

Asked the follow-up question of whether the 2011 agreements between the Russian and Georgian authorities, under which control over cargo transit was entrusted to the Swiss company SGS, could be implemented, the Abkhazian foreign minister replied: “All of that was, at the time, largely declaratory in nature. The realities have changed since then. The realities are what they are today, and all players who intend to pursue their activities in this region would do well to reckon with that.”