Syria Wishes Close Economic Ties with Georgia’s Occupied Regions
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Monday, April 22
Syria, which became the fifth country in 2018 to recognize two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as independent states, has expressed a wish to strengthen economic ties with the regions, during a business forum held in the occupied Crimea of Ukraine last week, moderated by Russia.
Both the Syrian and Georgian de facto officials admitted that establishment of close economic relations will be a problem, but vowed that the obstacles related to “customs issues” would be overcome.
“I believe we will be able to further develop cooperation with Abkhazia and South Ossetia within economic treaties. We have a lot of cooperation opportunities, but there are a number of difficulties that we have to overcome.”
“Syria could develop relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the economy and other fields and to establish new channels,” Samer al-Khalil, a Syrian official said.
De facto President of Tskhinvali Anatoly Bibilov claimed that the opening of an “embassy of South Ossetia” in Damascus, Syria, will help the development of political and economic relations.
Georgia suspended diplomatic relations with Syria as soon as the country recognized the regions as independent republics at the end of May 2018.
The international community is sure that the recognition was the merit of Russia, as Russian President Vladimir Putin is the closest ally of Syrian President Bashar-al-Assad.
The US state department included Syria on the list of countries in September 2018 which will not receive financial and other support from America due to the recognition of the Georgian regions as independent states.
The same sanctions were imposed by the US against Nauru in 2018 and against Venezuela in 2017.
The reason behind the ban is the US legislative act adopted in May 2017, which supports Georgia’s territorial integrity.
