Georgia cries fouls as Moscow strengthens ties with Abkhazia

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a 'strategic partnership' agreement with Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia on the 24 November 2014.

The move angered Georgian authorities, who interpreted it as a way to incorporate the territory into Russia.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement the 'so-called treaty' did not contribute to a peaceful and lasting settlement of the situation in Georgia, and the Western alliance would not recognise it.

EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy Federica Mogherini stated that the agreement violated Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and was 'detrimental to ongoing efforts to stabilise the security situation in the region'.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Caucasus. Abkhazia's dilemma: no future without Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/caucasus-abkhazias-dilemma-no-future-without-russia/

EU: EEAS: Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the signature of a “Treaty on Alliance and Strategic Partnership" between the Russian Federation and Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2014/141124_01_en.htm

NATO: Press Release, 24.11.14: Statement by NATO Secretary General on the so-called treaty between the Abkhazia region of Georgia and Russia http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_115168.htm?selectedLocale=en

The New York Times, 24.11.14: Pact Tightens Russian Ties With Abkhazia http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/25/world/europe/pact-tightens-russian-ties-with-abkhazia.html

RT, 24.11.14: ​Collective defense partnership: Russia, Abkhazia sign alliance http://rt.com/news/208327-ruissia-abkhazia-alliance-treaty/

The Moscow Times, 25.11.14: NATO, EU Criticize Accord Between Russia and Breakaway Abkhazia Region http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/nato-eu-criticize-accord-between-russia-and-breakaway-abkhazia-region/511761.html

ITAR-TASS, 24.11.14: Russia-Abkhazia treaty an obstacle to normal Tbilisi-Moscow relations — Georgian president http://en.itar-tass.com/world/761490

ITAR-TASS, 24.11.14: Russia to provide $110 million to Abkhazia in 2015 — Putin http://en.itar-tass.com/economy/761456

Sputnik International, 23.11.14: Russia, Abkhazia to Sign Agreement on Strategic Cooperation, Integration http://sputniknews.com/politics/20141123/1015063510.html

Sputnik International, 25.11.14: US Condemns Treaty Between Russia, Abkhazia: State Department http://sputniknews.com/politics/20141125/1015123081.html

Euronews, 26.11.14: Latvia sees security threat over Russia’s deal with Abkhazia http://www.euronews.com/2014/11/26/latvia-sees-security-threat-over-russia-s-deal-with-abkhazia/

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