The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on March 12 expressing concern over the increased tension between the central authorities of Georgia and the leadership of its Autonomous Republic of Adjara.
The statement reads that Tbilisi trains its law enforcement agencies and organizes protest rallies in Batumi, Adjarian capital, “to overthrow the legal authorities in Adjara.”
“The tension between the central authorities of Georgia and the leadership of the Adjara Autonomous Republic increased recently and became rather dangerous,” the Russian Foreign Ministry statement reads.
“Of course, such development of events causes our concern. Our position is solution of all disputable issues regarding Adjara exclusively in a peaceful way, through a political dialogue within the constitution. Setting ultimatums and threatening will only trigger chaos and civil strife.”
The Russian Foreign Minister called on the central authorities to avoid irresponsible actions, which may trigger the most serious consequences for stability in Georgia and in the region, as a whole.