EU concerned over Russia’s plans to set up naval base in Abkhazia

The European Union (EU) has expressed strong concern about Russia’s reported plans to establish a permanent naval base of its Black Sea Fleet in Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia.

“The military presence of Russia in Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is illegal, it violates Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the principles of international law and international commitments taken by Russia, including the 12 August 2008 agreement and its implementing measures of 8 September 2008,” Caliber.Az reports citing the European External Action Service’s (EEAS) website.

“Should Russia proceed with the reported plans, it would further increase tensions and threats to stability in the region,” EEAS said in a statement.

The European Union reiterates its firm support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.

Russia has recently signed a deal for a permanent naval base on the Black Sea coast of the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia.

Aslan Bzhania, the self-styled president of Russian-backed Abkhazia, said an agreement had been signed for a permanent naval base in the Ochamchira region: "This is all aimed at increasing the level of defence capability of both Russia and Abkhazia, and this kind of interaction will continue. There are also things I can't talk about."

Russia recognized Abkhazia and another breakaway region, South Ossetia, as independent states in 2008 after Russian troops repelled a Georgian attempt to retake South Ossetia in a five-day war which ended on August 12, 2008.