UNM’s Ana Tsitlidze: Many Abkhazians envision Georgia’s territorial integrity restored alongside Abkhazia

“For decades and centuries, Russia has worked to manufacture conflict between Abkhazians and Georgians; there is no ethnic conflict, only a Georgian-Russian conflict,” stated Ana Tsitlidze, a member of the United National Movement (UNM).

Tsitlidze remarked in response to recent statements by Nika Gvaramia, a leader of the Ahali party, who claimed that “Abkhazians do not love Georgians, and to be frank, neither do we love Abkhazians; we are currently enemies, and enmity cannot be replaced by love; that has never happened anywhere.”

As Tsitlidze pointed out, she knows many Abkhazians who love Georgians and Georgians who love Abkhazians, so she can’t really generalise.

“The Russian narrative persisting in Abkhazia aims to maintain enmity between Abkhazians and Georgians. Russia worked specifically to engineer a divide between us. Of course, regarding perceptions in Abkhazia, we cannot be overly idealistic and claim that everything is perfect, or that everyone loves Georgians and Georgians love Abkhazians; we must look at reality,” Tsitlidze noted.

“However, I know many Abkhazians, including my own relatives, who care deeply for Georgians, remember living peacefully together, and envision Georgia’s territorial integrity restored alongside Abkhazia. For me, such Abkhazians living in the region give hope that this sentiment will grow stronger. This requires a sound policy and strategy toward the occupied territories—something Georgian Dream has failed to deliver over its 14 years in power, without taking a single constructive step,” Tsitlidze continued.

“It must be part of state strategic policy to rebuild our relations not on past mistakes, but on solid, positive ground. Because I know Abkhazians who value Georgians, and Georgians who value Abkhazians, I will never generalise this issue,” Tsitlidze concluded.