Separatist Abkhazia Requests a Reduction in Oil Product Pricing from Russia
De-facto Vice-Prime Minister and Economy Minister of Abkhazia Kristina Ozgan as part of a business trip to Moscow, met with Yevgeny Grabchak, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, according to the de facto Abkhazian Minister's press service. The meeting addressed the implementation of the action plan for the installation of electricity metering devices; the pricing of petroleum products; and the modernization of Abkhazia's power grid infrastructure.
Moreover, the means for financing and implementing the Program for the Social and Economic Development of Abkhazia for 2023–2025 were reviewed at a meeting held at the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. In addition, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation reviewed the request of the government of the de-facto Republic of Abkhazia to cut prices for oil products delivered to the republic and to apply prices similar to those in Russia to oil products for Abkhazia's needs.
Psou Checkpoint Issues
Earlier, Caucasus Watch reported that Rustam Latipov, head of the Border Detachment of the State Security Service of Abkhazia, presented the shortest report at the meeting on holiday preparations for 2022. As soon as Latipov approached the podium, Aslan Bzhania, the de-facto President of the Republic, interrupted him. "I am familiar with your speech's text, Rustam. We have no interest in significant repairs on the opposite side. We are all aware of the immense pressure placed on our border patrol agents. However, we are more interested in the Psou checkpoint's operating hours. What has been done this season to facilitate the border crossing for vacationers?" the state leader inquired. Latipov said that at the Psou checkpoint, entry control is conducted in a streamlined manner. On the Abkhazian side, checking a bus takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes, while it can take up to two hours on the Russian side.
Law Mandating the Use of the Abkhazian Language
In May, the chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration, and Relations with Compatriots, Leonid Kalashnikov, sparked outrage in Sokhumi by voicing concerns about Abkhaz legislation requiring parliamentarians to speak the Abkhaz language. MP Kalashnikov stated that the law, which he described as a "formality intended to aid the Abkhaz language," led to language discrimination in Abkhazia. "Considering the significance of the Russian language, which is the de facto means of inter-ethnic contacts, such an initiative might result in inter-ethnic hostilities," the member cautioned in an extended committee meeting with de-facto Abkhaz senior diplomat Inal Ardzinba.
