The isolation of Abkhazia: a failed policy or an opportunity?
Archil Gegeshidze (2008)
Archil Gegeshidze explores the Georgian government's strategy of isolating Abkhazia and asks if there is a way out of the current limbo. He reviews the factors that led to the Georgian strategy of trying to coerce the Abkhaz side to abandon its pro-independence policy, and situates this within the context of other elements of Abkhazia's international isolation. He finds that in the absence of the anticipated quick results - and above all poor implementation caused by Russia's undeclared and gradual withdrawal from the sanctions regime - the isolation policies have failed, while the prospects for co-operation and compromise have diminished. However, he argues that lifting sanctions should not be unconditional and there should be direct and constructive dialogue in relation to the gradual elimination of the elements of isolation. Additional incentives would be needed to counter existing levels of mutual mistrust, including efforts by Georgia to attract Abkhazia through democratic and human rights reforms.
