The Abkhazian paradox and the Montenegrin model
The Abkhazian paradox and the Montenegrin modelLaurent Vinatier The Republic of Abkhazia, self-proclaimed and de facto independent from Georgia since 1992, lies in a very but not yet tragic paradoxical political situation. Recognized only by Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and a couple of non-significant countries (at least for the Eurasian region), Abkhazia, so far, owes everything to its great northern neighbour, regarding its security, its economic development and its access to the outside world. In the same time however Sukhum is binding to Moscow, seeing consequently many European doors closed. In other words, without Russia, Abkhazia is lost; with Russia, linked in too deep a strategic partnership, Abkhazia would never have the same chances as Kosovo. In Geneva, for one year