Abkhaz diplomats act in secrecy because of Georgia's, U.S.', EU's intrigues - foreign minister
SUKHUMI. Dec 28 (Interfax) - The Abkhaz Foreign Ministry has to conceal a lot from journalists so that Georgia as well as the U.S. and the European Union as its sponsors could not take advantage of this information, Abkhaz Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Chirikba said.
"We cannot say about everything that occurs in our ministry and outside it. I cannot tell you about all trips that I have made this year and about all contacts that we are establishing with political figures of various countries, because our confrontation with Georgia, the U.S. and the European Union is very bitter," Chirikba said.
"They are faultlessly tracking our telephone conversations, text messages, and emails, and they do everything to break our contacts with possible diplomatic partners. Therefore, we have to work in secrecy, however intriguing this might sound," he said.
"I was in Italy recently, where I was supposed to read a lecture at a university. Georgia learned about this somehow and did all it could to thwart this lecture. But these petty steps don't do it any good. I still gave a large press conference, at which I said all I wanted to say," Chirikba said.
Even though Abkhazia's contacts with foreign countries are being hampered, its diplomats are working on all continents, i.e. Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia, he said.
The minister said he was sure that the number of countries recognizing Abkhazia's independence will be growing.
Stronger strategic partnership with Russia and broad international recognition are strategic objectives of Abkhazia's foreign policy, he said.
