Georgian PM: Private sector sent fuel to Abkhazia; state will help ease residents’ hardships within the Law on Occupied Territories

“If we can ease conditions for the population residing in Abkhazia, we will do so, but strictly within the framework of the Law on Occupied Territories,” stated Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze in response to a question regarding the delivery of fuel to occupied Abkhazia.

According to Kobakhidze, such actions are permissible under the existing legal framework, including the Law on Occupied Territories.

“If any such step has been taken or will be taken, every such move will be made within the framework of the Law on Occupied Territories. If we can ease conditions for the population residing in Abkhazia, we will do so; however, we will do it strictly within the framework of the Law on Occupied Territories. Among other initiatives, we have the ‘A Step to a Better Future’ program, which is specifically designed to support the population living there: not only the Georgian, but also the Abkhaz population. We did not supply it [fuel]; private business did. Whenever any such step is taken, it is taken strictly within the framework of the Law on Occupied Territories,” stated the Prime Minister.