Sergey Shamba: "Geography has determined our destiny"

In this interview with Den Respubliki, Sergey Shamba, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, discusses the country’s foreign policy priorities, the importance of its strategic alliance with Russia, and the global attention on Abkhazia’s democratic process. He also addresses the possibility of forming a Union State with Russia and Belarus while maintaining Abkhazia’s sovereignty.

Reflecting on Abkhazia’s geopolitical significance, Shamba notes:

"Geography has determined our destiny. Since ancient times, Abkhazia has attracted the interest of great powers, and today, we once again find ourselves at the centre of global transformations."

Armida Kishmakhova [Den Respubliki]: Mr. Shamba, what are the main directions of Abkhazia’s foreign policy that you plan to develop in the coming years following the elections?

Sergey Shamba: Given our strategic alliance with the Russian Federation, our primary focus is on further strengthening and deepening our relationship with Russia. At the same time, we continue to seek out other countries willing to cooperate with us. However, this is not our top priority, as our fundamental interests, security and economic development, can be effectively pursued within our alliance with Russia. The Russian market, investments, tourism, and ongoing projects play a crucial role in our economic growth, while existing agreements guarantee our security. These agreements provide us with security assurances, as Russia stands as an ally ready to defend our independence and statehood in the event of any threats. Therefore, we address these issues in this order of priority.

Regarding international recognition, for us, this is more a matter of prestige than of practical necessity. Nevertheless, we actively engage in diplomatic efforts in countries where we share mutual understanding with their governments and societies. We have already achieved some success in Latin American nations such as Venezuela and Nicaragua. Establishing diplomatic relations with Syria was particularly important for us, as Abkhazia and Syria share deep historical ties.

– Despite not being widely recognised, Abkhazia continues to attract global attention. What do you think accounts for this interest?

– Historically, Abkhazia has always been of interest to major global powers due to its significant geopolitical position. As the saying goes, geography has determined our destiny. Since ancient times, Abkhazia has drawn the attention of great empires, Rome, Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, and the Russian Empire, whose interests have historically clashed here. Today, we witness similar geopolitical rivalries among contemporary global players. The world is undergoing a systemic transformation, moving away from the unipolar order that emerged following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia, as we can see, is actively shaping a new world order, and once again, Abkhazia finds itself at the heart of these developments.

Our elections also attract attention. Our opponents frequently declare that they do not recognise our electoral process. However, what matters most to us is recognition from our friends and allies.

– How do you assess the impact of the first-round election results, as observed by international experts, on Abkhazia’s foreign policy strategy?

– Our diplomatic representations in Germany, Italy, and Türkiye are actively working, which demonstrates a degree of respect for our state, even in the absence of formal recognition. The fact that there were over 50 positive publications about the elections in Italy alone suggests that our diplomatic efforts are seen as measured and well-balanced. The elections in Abkhazia are conducted in a democratic manner, and this is why they attract such attention. Observers can clearly see the development of democratic processes in our country. Our statehood has existed for over 30 years, and during this time, we have built the foundations of a democratic nation.

– Do you believe that an objective assessment of the electoral process by international experts and journalists influences Abkhazia’s perception on the global stage?

– Certainly. An impartial evaluation of events helps shape the broader perception of our country. While I do not naively expect that such assessments will lead to formal recognition by Western nations, a positive international reputation is important for shaping our national image.

– What steps is the ministry taking to maintain dialogue with international media during the election period?

– We continue to actively disseminate information through interviews, our official website, and various other channels. Previously, when our elections attracted the attention of the United Nations, dialogue with experts and journalists was particularly intense. While interest has somewhat declined in recent years, our information-sharing efforts remain at a high level.

– During the elections, an extraterritorial polling station was established in Karachay-Cherkessia to enable Abkhazian citizens residing in the North Caucasus to vote. How do you assess its operation?

– I am in regular contact with the chairman of the commission in the fraternal republic, Oleg Etlukhov. Despite the overall intensity of the electoral process, voting in Karachay-Cherkessia was conducted at a commendable level. The high voter turnout, including participation from citizens residing abroad, reflects the population’s strong engagement and interest in national affairs.

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– How do you envision the development of relations with Russia and other strategic partners in the context of the electoral process? What lessons can be drawn from this experience?

– Our relationship with Russia is not just a strategic partnership but a Strategic Union, under which both sides commit to defending one another. We are focused on further developing these ties, as they enhance economic cooperation and security. The positive assessments of our approach reaffirm the effectiveness of this strategy.

– Have international experts provided any significant recommendations or criticisms regarding the organisation and conduct of the elections?

– As far as I am aware, there have been no major criticisms regarding the electoral process. However, we view any constructive feedback as an opportunity to improve our work.

– What mechanisms exist to safeguard Abkhazia’s national interests on the international stage, especially given the heightened attention surrounding the elections?

– Given the limited number of countries that officially cooperate with us, fluctuations in international attention do not significantly impact our diplomatic relationships. We continue to operate within the framework of our existing agreements and do not anticipate drastic changes in our partnerships as a result of the elections. The only opinion that truly matters to us is that of Russia.

– There is ongoing discussion in Abkhazia about the possibility of forming a Union State while maintaining sovereignty. What are your thoughts on this?

– Our Constitution unequivocally defines Abkhazia as an independent and sovereign state, and no official discussions have been held regarding any change in status. However, the idea of Abkhazia participating in a Union State has been debated by various political figures, including former Abkhazian leaders. If mutual interest exists, we could consider this possibility. Such an arrangement would resemble the Union State of Russia and Belarus, where both nations retain their sovereignty.

It is essential to recognise that different forms of integration exist. While we are open to exploring various options, no concrete proposals have been put forward at this stage. Russia supports our aspirations, but other geopolitical factors must also be considered. At present, Russia has other pressing priorities, and this topic may become relevant at a later stage.

Concerns about Abkhazia being absorbed by Russia are unfounded. A relevant example is South Ossetia, which has twice held referendums on reunification with North Ossetia, yet Russia has not taken any steps to implement such a merger. Therefore, I see no reason for such concerns.

Personally, I believe that participating in a Union State with Russia and Belarus could be an interesting prospect for Abkhazia, but this remains a subject for future discussion and requires careful consideration.

This article was published by 'Den Respubliki' and is translated from Russian.