Comment of the Abkhazian Foreign Ministry in connection with the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinval region / South Ossetia, Georgia

Adoption by the UN General Assembly on June 13 this year of a biased and highly politicized Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, Georgia" is not a surprise. This is the sixth in a row annual Resolution proposed by Georgia, the content of which remains virtually unchanged.
The MFA of Abkhazia has repeatedly highlighted to the international community the inadmissibility to support a document, which grossly distorted the political and humanitarian situation in the region. Once again, the adoption of this Resolution took place behind Abkhazia as the Abkhazian representatives again were refused to get the opportunity to address the members of the UN and present their position. Nevertheless, we have conducted the necessary work to inform certain countries about the arguments of the Abkhaz side.
The adopted Resolution can not contribute to a constructive process of the Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs of the Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia. The MFA of Abkhazia reiterates the unacceptability of taking the issues of the agenda of the Geneva discussions outside of this international forum.
It should be noted that the majority of the world’s countries - more than 120 - did not support this politicized document. The number of states that voted against the draft resolution proposed by Georgia increased.
We should emphasize that the above resolution is only advisory and has no legal effect. At the same time, constant Georgia's efforts to railroad such a politically committed document may be indicative of the immutability of a hostile course of the Georgian state, despite the change of government in this country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia in the near future will provide detailed comments on the adoption of the Resolution, as well as on the relevant report of the UN Secretary General. 

- See more at: http://mfaapsny.org/en/information/index.php?ID=1235#sthash.g4dluzQP.dpu

Adoption by the UN General Assembly on June 13 this year of a biased and highly politicized Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, Georgia" is not a surprise. This is the sixth in a row annual Resolution proposed by Georgia, the content of which remains virtually unchanged.
The MFA of Abkhazia has repeatedly highlighted to the international community the inadmissibility to support a document, which grossly distorted the political and humanitarian situation in the region. Once again, the adoption of this Resolution took place behind Abkhazia as the Abkhazian representatives again were refused to get the opportunity to address the members of the UN and present their position. Nevertheless, we have conducted the necessary work to inform certain countries about the arguments of the Abkhaz side.
The adopted Resolution can not contribute to a constructive process of the Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs of the Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia. The MFA of Abkhazia reiterates the unacceptability of taking the issues of the agenda of the Geneva discussions outside of this international forum.
It should be noted that the majority of the world’s countries - more than 120 - did not support this politicized document. The number of states that voted against the draft resolution proposed by Georgia increased.
We should emphasize that the above resolution is only advisory and has no legal effect. At the same time, constant Georgia's efforts to railroad such a politically committed document may be indicative of the immutability of a hostile course of the Georgian state, despite the change of government in this country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia in the near future will provide detailed comments on the adoption of the Resolution, as well as on the relevant report of the UN Secretary General.
- See more at: http://mfaapsny.org/en/information/index.php?ID=1235#sthash.g4dluzQP.dpuf

Adoption by the UN General Assembly on June 13 this year of a biased and highly politicized Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, Georgia" is not a surprise. This is the sixth in a row annual Resolution proposed by Georgia, the content of which remains virtually unchanged. - See more at: http://mfaapsny.org/en/information/index.php?ID=1235#sthash.g4dluzQP.dpuf

15.06.2013

Comment of the Abkhazian Foreign Ministry in connection with the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, Georgi

Adoption by the UN General Assembly on June 13 this year of a biased and highly politicized Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, Georgia" is not a surprise. This is the sixth in a row annual Resolution proposed by Georgia, the content of which remains virtually unchanged.
The MFA of Abkhazia has repeatedly highlighted to the international community the inadmissibility to support a document, which grossly distorted the political and humanitarian situation in the region. Once again, the adoption of this Resolution took place behind Abkhazia as the Abkhazian representatives again were refused to get the opportunity to address the members of the UN and present their position. Nevertheless, we have conducted the necessary work to inform certain countries about the arguments of the Abkhaz side.
The adopted Resolution can not contribute to a constructive process of the Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs of the Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia. The MFA of Abkhazia reiterates the unacceptability of taking the issues of the agenda of the Geneva discussions outside of this international forum.
It should be noted that the majority of the world’s countries - more than 120 - did not support this politicized document. The number of states that voted against the draft resolution proposed by Georgia increased.
We should emphasize that the above resolution is only advisory and has no legal effect. At the same time, constant Georgia's efforts to railroad such a politically committed document may be indicative of the immutability of a hostile course of the Georgian state, despite the change of government in this country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia in the near future will provide detailed comments on the adoption of the Resolution, as well as on the relevant report of the UN Secretary General.
- See more at: http://mfaapsny.org/en/information/index.php?ID=1235#sthash.g4dluzQP.dpuf

Comment of the Abkhazian Foreign Ministry in connection with the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, Georgi

Adoption by the UN General Assembly on June 13 this year of a biased and highly politicized Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, Georgia" is not a surprise. This is the sixth in a row annual Resolution proposed by Georgia, the content of which remains virtually unchanged.
The MFA of Abkhazia has repeatedly highlighted to the international community the inadmissibility to support a document, which grossly distorted the political and humanitarian situation in the region. Once again, the adoption of this Resolution took place behind Abkhazia as the Abkhazian representatives again were refused to get the opportunity to address the members of the UN and present their position. Nevertheless, we have conducted the necessary work to inform certain countries about the arguments of the Abkhaz side.
The adopted Resolution can not contribute to a constructive process of the Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs of the Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia. The MFA of Abkhazia reiterates the unacceptability of taking the issues of the agenda of the Geneva discussions outside of this international forum.
It should be noted that the majority of the world’s countries - more than 120 - did not support this politicized document. The number of states that voted against the draft resolution proposed by Georgia increased.
We should emphasize that the above resolution is only advisory and has no legal effect. At the same time, constant Georgia's efforts to railroad such a politically committed document may be indicative of the immutability of a hostile course of the Georgian state, despite the change of government in this country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia in the near future will provide detailed comments on the adoption of the Resolution, as well as on the relevant report of the UN Secretary General.
- See more at: http://mfaapsny.org/en/information/index.php?ID=1235#sthash.g4dluzQP.dpuf

Comment of the Abkhazian Foreign Ministry in connection with the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, Georgi

Adoption by the UN General Assembly on June 13 this year of a biased and highly politicized Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, Georgia" is not a surprise. This is the sixth in a row annual Resolution proposed by Georgia, the content of which remains virtually unchanged.
The MFA of Abkhazia has repeatedly highlighted to the international community the inadmissibility to support a document, which grossly distorted the political and humanitarian situation in the region. Once again, the adoption of this Resolution took place behind Abkhazia as the Abkhazian representatives again were refused to get the opportunity to address the members of the UN and present their position. Nevertheless, we have conducted the necessary work to inform certain countries about the arguments of the Abkhaz side.
The adopted Resolution can not contribute to a constructive process of the Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs of the Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia. The MFA of Abkhazia reiterates the unacceptability of taking the issues of the agenda of the Geneva discussions outside of this international forum.
It should be noted that the majority of the world’s countries - more than 120 - did not support this politicized document. The number of states that voted against the draft resolution proposed by Georgia increased.
We should emphasize that the above resolution is only advisory and has no legal effect. At the same time, constant Georgia's efforts to railroad such a politically committed document may be indicative of the immutability of a hostile course of the Georgian state, despite the change of government in this country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia in the near future will provide detailed comments on the adoption of the Resolution, as well as on the relevant report of the UN Secretary General.
- See more at: http://mfaapsny.org/en/information/index.php?ID=1235#sthash.g4dluzQP.dpuf

Comment of the Abkhazian Foreign Ministry in connection with the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, Georgi

Adoption by the UN General Assembly on June 13 this year of a biased and highly politicized Resolution on "the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia, Georgia" is not a surprise. This is the sixth in a row annual Resolution proposed by Georgia, the content of which remains virtually unchanged.
The MFA of Abkhazia has repeatedly highlighted to the international community the inadmissibility to support a document, which grossly distorted the political and humanitarian situation in the region. Once again, the adoption of this Resolution took place behind Abkhazia as the Abkhazian representatives again were refused to get the opportunity to address the members of the UN and present their position. Nevertheless, we have conducted the necessary work to inform certain countries about the arguments of the Abkhaz side.
The adopted Resolution can not contribute to a constructive process of the Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs of the Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia. The MFA of Abkhazia reiterates the unacceptability of taking the issues of the agenda of the Geneva discussions outside of this international forum.
It should be noted that the majority of the world’s countries - more than 120 - did not support this politicized document. The number of states that voted against the draft resolution proposed by Georgia increased.
We should emphasize that the above resolution is only advisory and has no legal effect. At the same time, constant Georgia's efforts to railroad such a politically committed document may be indicative of the immutability of a hostile course of the Georgian state, despite the change of government in this country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia in the near future will provide detailed comments on the adoption of the Resolution, as well as on the relevant report of the UN Secretary General.
- See more at: http://mfaapsny.org/en/information/index.php?ID=1235#sthash.g4dluzQP.dpuf

Georgian Patriarch Ilia II acts as a politician - only in the interests of Georgia: Interview

The status of the Abkhazian church has been strongly discussed in the Abkhaz society and Internet space  community. The reason for this became a recent statement of  the President Alexander Ankvab, in which  he gave an estimate of the church  problem. Hierodiakon David (Sarsaniya)  the vice-chairman "of the Holy Metropolis of Abkhazia" in Sukhum answered the questions of  REGNUM correspondent .

REGNUM: Father David, the president of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab, speaking recently at the Russian-Abkhaz Humanitarian Forum, expressed his attitude to the Abkhaz Orthodox Church;s status. In particular, he said that «the Moscow Patriarchate can and should  take this great mission.» How would you comment on this statement? And is it possible, according to this statement, to assess unambiguously which side Ankvab supports in the Abkhaz Church problem?

I am  not  able to say concretely which side the President of Abkhazia supports. But in the statement  he is saying that :” with deep respect to the  Ecumenical  Patriarch, Constantinople one should say  is very far of  settling the problems of  the Abkhaz church, and one may consider the Russian Church  to participate in  the ordination of the bishop for the Orthodox community of Abkhazia” I think this isn't right.

Officially the Holy Patriarch of all Russia  Kirill, as well as the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) has repeatedly declared this. But independently without the participation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, this problem can not be solved. Ecumenical Patriarchate is the first in the status of the independent Orthodox churches, so its relation to the problems of the Orthodox churches in the world is absolutely different. Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1990 granted autocephaly to the Georgian Orthodox Church Patriarchate. For 25 years, the Georgian Church in relation to the Russian Orthodox Church was a schismatic group, but for all the Orthodox churches, the Georgian church, before being recognized by Ecumenical Patriarchate, remained autonomous within the Russian Orthodox Church.

 REGNUM:  If speaking about the meeting held in March 28 in Sochi, attended by Alexandr Ankvab  and the representatives of  the Russian  and Georgian Churches, the president of Abkhazia expressed unambiguous assessment, at least,  as before it was  said and written that he supported the ideas of the Holy Metropolis of Abkhazia. Did he change his mind in supporting you? What is the reason of  he speaks about at the forum, what do you think?

Our government has always said that it distances itself from church and of the so-called split in Abkhazia. The President Ankvab did not coordinate this trip to Sochi with the clergy of Abkhazia, as well as with the father Vissarion’s side from Sukhum - Pitsunda diocese, and the representatives of the Holy Metropolis of Abkhazia either.

But for us it's not new what Alexander Ankvab heard at a meeting on March 28 in Sochi. At this meeting, we are more than confident, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) said about the only way of pastoral care of the Abkhaz Orthodox community, which is the mechanism of double ecclesiastical jurisdiction on the territory of Abkhazia. The Russian Orthodox Church recognizes Abkhazian church still the part of the Georgian church. This means that in agreement with the Georgian Church, the Moscow Patriarchate will ordain someone to the episcopacy and send him to Abkhazia. Such a policy between the ROC and GOC in this matter is clear, otherwise, Metropolitan Seraphim (Jojua) as the official face of the GOC would not attend this meeting.
 In the proposal  of the Russian Orthodox Church  the status of the Abkhaz Church as independent from the Georgian is not considered, so that is why the  president Ankvab said that the relations of Abkhazia with the  Georgian clergy could no longer continue.

REGNUM: Father David, you for sure know about the  Ilia II's visit to the Ecumenical Patriarch. Following this meeting, the Georgian Patriarch said that he planned to visit Abkhazia. Do you think  such a visit is possible?

Absolutely impossible. Georgian Patriarch is acting like a politician, only in the interests of Georgia. For example, during the recent inter-ethnic conflict, the Georgian Patriarch said   not a word to stop the bloodshed and  the war. In 2008, when Georgian troops shot civilians and Russian peacekeepers in Tskhinval, Patriarch Ilia did not say anything to stop this inhuman perfidy. And when Russia stood up in defense of South Ossetia, he immediately turned to then - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to stop military operations against Georgia. But why he did not make such statements to his people and the Government of Georgia, the whole day when the shelling of Tskhinval took place? So, when there is no war, they say we are their brothers, and when the war begins, the Georgian Church declares the restoration of Georgia's borders. That is why, whatever the Georgian Patriarch said, referring to the Russian Orthodox Church or the Ecumenical Patriarch - it is his personal opinion and  it does not concern Abkhazia.
I also believe that the trip of the Georgian Patriarch to Constantinople had an aim to block the Abkhaz Orthodox people’s  opportunity to discuss the future of their own  Church themselves.

 This article was published by REGNUM and is translated from Russian.

 http://www.regnum.ru/news/fd-abroad/polit/1667693.html#ixzz2VLl9aYwH

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Грузинский патриарх Илия II действует как политик - только в интересах Грузии: интервью

В абхазском обществе и интернет-пространстве бурно обсуждаются вопросы Абхазского церковного статуса. Поводом для этого стало недавнее заявление президента страны Александра Анкваб, где он дал оценку проблеме. На вопросы корреспондента ИА REGNUM в Сухуме ответил иеродиакон Давид (Сарсания), заместитель председателя "Священной Митрополии Абхазии".

ИА REGNUM: Отец Давид, президент Абхазии Александр Анкваб, недавно выступая на российско-абхазском гуманитарном форуме, выразил свое отношение к решению вопроса статуса АПЦ. В частности, им было сказано, что "эту великую миссию может и должен взять на себя Московский патриархат". Как бы вы могли прокомментировать это заявление? И можно ли, исходя из этого заявления, дать однозначную оценку того, какую сторону в абхазском церковном вопросе поддерживает Анкваб?

Я не могу конкретно сказать какую сторону поддерживает президент Абхазии. Но заявление, в котором он говорит, что "при глубоком уважении к Вселенскому Патриарху, Константинополь все же находится очень далеко от участия в разрешении проблем Абхазской церкви, и на рукоположение епископа для православной общины Абхазии можно рассчитывать при участии РПЦ", я считаю неправильным.

Официально Святейший Патриарх всея Руси Кирилл, а также председатель Отдела внешних церковных связей РПЦ митрополит Иларион (Алфеев) неоднократно уже об этом заявляли. Но самостоятельно РПЦ, без участия Вселенской Патриархии, этот вопрос решить не может. Вселенская Патриархия является первой по статусу среди независимых Православных церквей, поэтому ее отношение к проблемам Православных церквей во всем мире - это совершенно другое отношение. Вселенская Патриархия в 1990 году даровала автокефалию и патриарший статус Грузинской церкви. Целых 25 лет Грузинская церковь в отношении к РПЦ была раскольничьей группой, а для всех Православных церквей, Грузинская церковь, до признания ее Вселенской патриархией, так и оставалась автономной в составе РПЦ.

ИА REGNUM: Если говорить о встрече, которая состоялась 28 марта с.г. в Сочи, где присутствовали Александр Анкваб и представители Русской и Грузинской церквей, то президент Абхазии высказал однозначную оценку, по крайне мере так говорилось и писалось, что он поддерживает те идеи, которые выдвигает Священная Митрополия Абхазии. Он передумал вас поддерживать? С чем связано то, что он говорил на форуме, как вы считаете?

Наша власть всегда говорила, что она дистанцируется от церковного, так называемого, раскола в Абхазии. Президент Анкваб не согласовывал эту поездку в Сочи со священнослужителями Абхазии, как и со стороной отца Виссариона, т.е. с Сухумо-Пицундской Епархией, так и с представителями Священной Митрополии Абхазии.

Но для нас не ново то, что услышал Александр Анкваб на встрече 28 марта в Сочи. На этой встрече, мы более чем уверены, митрополит Иларион (Алфеев) говорил о единственном пути окормления абхазской православной общины, которое заключается в механизме двойной церковной юрисдикции на территории Абхазии, то есть РПЦ все равно признает Абхазскую церковь частью Грузинкой церкви. Это означает, что по согласованию с Грузинской церковью, Московская патриархия посвятит кого-то во епископы и пошлет его в Абхазию. Такая политика между РПЦ и ГПЦ в этом вопросе очевидна, иначе митрополит Серафим (Джоджуа), как официальное лицо от ГПЦ не присутствовал бы на этой встрече.

В этом предложении со стороны РПЦ не рассматривается статус Абхазской церкви, как независимой от ГПЦ, поэтому президент Анкваб заявил, что никакие отношения Абхазии с грузинским духовенством больше не могут продолжаться.

ИА REGNUM: Отец Давид, вам, наверняка, известен визит Илии Второго к Вселенскому патриарху. После этой встречи грузинский патриарх сообщил, что планирует посетить Абхазию. Как вы думаете, возможен ли подобный визит?

Абсолютно невозможен. Грузинский патриарх во всем действует как политик, только в интересах Грузии. Например, во время последних межнациональных конфликтов, грузинский патриарх не сказал ни одного слова, чтобы остановить кровопролитие и войну. В 2008 году, когда грузинские войска расстреливали мирных жителей и российских миротворцев в Цхинвале, патриарх Илия не сказал ни слова для прекращения этого бесчеловечного вероломства. А когда Россия вступилась в защиту Южной Осетии, то он сразу же обратился к тогдашнему президенту России Дмитрию Медведеву и премьер-министру Владимиру Путину с просьбой прекратить военные действия против Грузии. Но почему же он не делал таких заявлений к своему народу и к правительству Грузии, когда целые сутки шел обстрел Цхинвала? Получается, когда войны нет они говорят, что мы их братья, а когда война начинается, то Грузинская церковь заявляет о восстановлении границ Грузии. Потому-то, все, что говорит грузинский Патриарх, ссылаясь на РПЦ или Вселенскую патриархию, - это его личное мнение, и Абхазии это не касается.

Считаю также, что поездка грузинского патриарха в Константинополь была направлена на то, чтобы заблокировать для абхазского православного народа возможность обсуждения своего церковного будущего

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 http://www.regnum.ru/news/fd-abroad/polit/1667693.html#ixzz2VLl9aYwH

Священная Митрополия Абхазии официально зарегистрирована

06.06.2013

5 июня 2013 года в Министерстве юстиции  Республики Абхазия была зарегистрирована религиозная христианская организация – «Священная Митрополия Абхазии», кафедра которой располагается в г. Новый Афон (историческое название – Анакопия).

Как рассказал секретарь Митрополии Герман Маршания корреспонденту "Эхо Кавказа", процесс регистрации был достаточно долгим. 15 мая 2011 года около 2000 человек собрались в Новоафонском монастыре на Церковно-Народное собрание. 700 полномочных делегатов православного вероисповедания из всех районов Абхазии приняли решение о создании Священной Митрополии Абхазии, делегировав полномочия учредителей десяти избранным на Собрании членам Совета. 20 мая 2011 года прошло первое заседание Совета, на котором был принят и одобрен Устав церковной организации. За этим последовало обращение в соответствующие органы власти. Однако, оказалось, что в Абхазии отсутствует соответствующая нормативно-правовая база для регистрации религиозных организаций. Лишь10 октября 2012 года был принят Закон "О свободе совести и о религиозных объединениях", который вступил в силу 31 марта 2012 года.

Согласно данному закону, после регистрации Священная Митрополия Абхазии продолжит свою деятельность уже как полноправная юридическая организация со всеми предусмотренными Законом правами и обязанностями.