Yesterday, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin made his first visit to Abkhazia as a Russian leader after the Soviet Union's disintegration. He laid flowers to the Glory Memorial in Sukhum, and visited a maternity home, which opened a few days ago. The first twins born there shortly before his appearance were called Vladimir and Dmitry in honour of the Russian prime minister and the president.
Residents of Sukhum enthusiastically welcomed Mr Putin with the words of gratitude and flowers. In the evening, he started official talks with Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh. On the Russian side, they were attended by Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, Regional Development Minister Viktor Basargin, Transport Minister Igor Levitin, Rosneft President Sergei Bogdanchikov, and Vice President of Russian Railways Vladimir Vorobyev.
Following the talks Mr Putin met with Abkhazian elders. He did not come to Sukhum empty-handed. Russia is ready to allocate 10.9 billion roubles on Abkhazia's social development and infrastructure projects. "I'm referring to facilities of the infrastructure, communications, transportation, healthcare and education," Mr Putin explained after the talks. All in all, in 2010 Russia will transfer 15-16 billion roubles to Abkhazia. Part of this money will be spent on equipping the border with Georgia, meeting the needs of the frontier guards, and developing roads, railways, and bridges.
Russia will allocate one billion roubles this year, and one more billion next year to support the republic's social sphere, including pensions to local Russian citizens. Basargin noted that the promised sums are not yet part of the federal budget but the government is going to pass a decision on additional budget expenditures in the near future.
Is it a loan or a gift? There was some confusion on this issue. Neither Vladimir Putin not Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh made official statements on this score, while the latter's Press Secretary Christian Bzhania explained to Gazeta that this was Russia's gift.
"The sum is close to 10 billion roubles for the next year and 2011. This is Russia's direct assistance, and it is designed to help Abkhazia develop the social, economic and other spheres. Part of this money will be spent on Russian bases. This is assistance, not a loan," he explained.
Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy and Entrepreneurship and United Russia member Yevgeny Fedorov believes that all these sums are a loan for several years. "Russia allocates the money, proceeding from its geopolitical interests. It will be primarily spent on the consolidation and protection of the republic's borders. After all, these sums are not so big. Much more money is spent just on one of our subsidized regions," he said.
Putin said in Sukhum that the development of tourism in Abkhazia will contribute to its economic upsurge in several years. "Abkhazia is visited by a million Russian tourists. This is comparable with Turkey. A million! And this is happening in today's conditions when, putting it mildly, not everything has been restored in Gagra, or other seaside places. What will happen when everything is restored, and when security is guaranteed? Security will be much higher when our military base is built and the border infrastructure and equipment put in place," he explained.
Olga Dachayeva