Abkhazia’s MFA Comments on Ivanishvili’s Apology Statement
Abkhazian MFA says Ivanishvili’s statement could pave the way for reconciliation if backed by genuine actions.
SUKHUM / AQW'A ― The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia has issued a response to a recent statement by Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the "Georgian Dream" party. In his statement, Ivanishvili suggested that the Georgian authorities should "find the strength" to apologise for the actions of the previous government during the August 2008 war, which "engulfed Ossetian sisters and brothers in flames."
While this statement does not directly concern the Republic of Abkhazia, the Abkhazian MFA stressed that such a declaration, if followed by genuine steps towards reconciliation—including apologies to the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and the signing of a peace agreement—could pave the way for peaceful coexistence and good-neighbourly relations.
The ministry also recalled significant moments in Georgia’s history, such as the 1956 condemnation of the actions of the Georgian leadership during the Stalin and Beria era, and Eduard Shevardnadze’s admission in 1978 of a "chauvinistic" policy towards Abkhazia. These events highlight a history of recognition of past mistakes by Georgian leaders, though concrete actions towards peace have often been lacking.
"On 27 June 1978, Eduard Shevardnadze, at the 11th plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Georgia, stated: “We must frankly acknowledge that in the past, during a known period, a policy was pursued towards the Abkhazian people which can only be described as chauvinistic. Let’s call it what it is. This policy fundamentally contradicted the interests of both the Georgian and Abkhazian peoples.” Regrettably, this did not stop Mr Shevardnadze from initiating a war in Abkhazia in 1992."
It is also worth noting that in 2007, a Georgian human rights group led by Ucha Nanuashvili launched the “Sorry” campaign, appealing to the Abkhaz people for forgiveness and calling for renewed dialogue and reconciliation; however, the campaign failed to gain widespread public support. Similarly, Ivanishvili’s recent statement has faced backlash from both the opposition and the public. His pre-election promise to apologise was heavily criticised by the opposition, who questioned the sincerity of his intentions and the timing of the statement.
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The full statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia is as follows:
We have noted the recent statement made by Bidzina Ivanishvili, Chairman of Georgia’s ruling "Georgian Dream" party, in which he expressed that the Georgian authorities, after winning the parliamentary elections scheduled for 26 October, would find the strength to apologise for the 2008 actions of the “national movement,” which “engulfed Ossetian sisters and brothers in flames.”
While this statement does not directly concern the Republic of Abkhazia, we wish to point out that, if it is followed by genuine steps towards reconciliation—based on a reassessment of past mistakes, an apology to the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the abandonment of political and economic pressure, and the signing of a peace agreement—it could mark the beginning of a process leading to peaceful coexistence and good-neighbourly relations.
Mr Ivanishvili’s statement indicates that Georgia still has the capacity for self-reflection and the recognition of its past mistakes, something that has occurred more than once in the history of our relations.
We would also like to remind that as early as 1956, at its August plenum, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Georgia condemned the actions of the Georgian leadership towards Abkhazia during the rule of I. Stalin and L. Beria.
On 27 June 1978, Eduard Shevardnadze, at the 11th plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Georgia, stated: “We must frankly acknowledge that in the past, during a known period, a policy was pursued towards the Abkhazian people which can only be described as chauvinistic. Let’s call it what it is. This policy fundamentally contradicted the interests of both the Georgian and Abkhazian peoples.” Regrettably, this did not stop Mr Shevardnadze from initiating a war in Abkhazia in 1992.