Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili hopes that after the reshuffle of authorities in Abkhazia, the breakaway region will have “a historical chance to achieve agreement with the central authorities of Georgia.”
He said that Abkhazia will have a new leadership this year, after the presidential elections in the breakaway region. According to the constitution of self-declared Abkhaz Republic the current president Vladislav Ardzinba has no right for presidency for another term.
“Georgia should itself return the breakaway regions [Abkhazia and South Ossetia]. Russia cannot do it instead of us. However, warming of relations with Russia will create a positive climate for restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity,” Mikheil Saakashvili said at a news briefing on February 12.