"First of all, it should be noted that the draft Foreign Policy Concept was approved by executive authorities of the Republic of Abkhazia. Then the draft was sent for review and discussion to the Committee on International, Interparliamentary Relations and Relations with Compatriots of the Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia. By his decree, President approved the Foreign Policy Concept of the Republic of Abkhazia. Therefore, the statement that the draft Concept was adopted “in quiet cabinet” and not coordinated with the Parliament does not correspond to reality, " the RA Foreign Ministry says. 

Concerning the content of the Concept, "Aruaa" proposes to exclude the second paragraph of clause 2.3., Which literally says the following: "The Republic of Abkhazia allows the possibility of creating conditions for the formation of an additional format of multi-level negotiations between Georgia and the Republic of Abkhazia. Within which it will be possible to discuss issues of mutual interest, the solution of which is not possible within the framework of the International Geneva Discussions ”. According to "Aruaa", the implementation of this paragraph may overshadow the Geneva discussions and downgrade the status of the negotiation process. In addition, it is claimed that Abkhazia "may lose international mediators and the high status of the negotiation process, if we enter direct negotiations with Georgia." 

The Foreign Ministry, unlike Aruaa, believes that "such an interpretation of the second paragraph of clause 2.3. of the Concept is rather unwarranted. The additional format of multi-level negotiations cannot in any way exclude or replace the existing format of the Geneva International Discussions, within the framework of which the Republic of Abkhazia is officially represented today. Accordingly, even in the event of a possible agreed decision on the creation of such an additional format, there can be no automatic downgrading of the status of the current negotiation process. Further, the Concept does not say anywhere about the need to enter "direct negotiations" between Abkhazia and Georgia without the participation of the Russian Federation and other international mediators. Neither the President nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set themselves the task of participating in direct negotiations with Georgia. This explains the absence of any mention of the possibility of such negotiations with Tbilisi in the concept. 

" The Foreign Ministry draws attention to the fact that, the Concept notes that “The Republic of Abkhazia is interested in establishing equal, good-neighborly relations with Georgia. The relationship between the Republic of Abkhazia and Georgia can be restored only on the basis of mutual recognition and respect for sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. " 

"In this regard, it becomes obvious that there can be no talk of any unilateral concessions on the part of Abkhazia," the Foreign Ministry's Commentary notes. 

"The Abkhaz side does not consider it possible and expedient at this stage to leave the format of the Geneva discussions. On the contrary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia has repeatedly noted the importance of the Geneva international discussions, in the framework of which representatives of our republic have the opportunity to voice the official position of Abkhazia in the presence of representatives of leading international actors - Russia, the United States, the UN, the EU and the OSCE. The Republic of Abkhazia defends such an important issue from the point of view of ensuring national security as the need to sign a document on the non-use of force with Georgia. Based on these considerations, the first paragraph of clause 2.3 of the Concept emphasizes the importance of Abkhazia's participation in the Geneva talks, " MFA of Abkhazia. 

The Foreign Ministry also considered it necessary to note that, within the framework of the mechanism for implementing a coordinated foreign policy, the Republic of Abkhazia and the Russian Federation hold regular consultations on a wide range of issues on the international and regional agenda, including on various aspects of the work of the Geneva International Discussions. 

“We believe that a qualified discussion of state foreign policy issues that meets national interests can be effective and expedient both within the framework of existing state institutions and at various expert platforms, including with the participation of interested social and political movements and parties.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia, as a coordinating body for the development and implementation of foreign policy, is guided in its activities by the national interests of the Republic of Abkhazia, makes the necessary efforts to fully implement the main goals of foreign policy and create strong guarantees of security and sovereignty of Abkhazia, " says the Commentary of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs.