Georgian authorities have responded to the idea of launching trains from Russia via Abkhazia.
Georgia is not discussing the restoration of rail service through Abkhazia with Russia, the Georgian side commented on the Russian Deputy Prime Minister's statement.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on February 12, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk stated that the Russian side is considering the possibility of restoring rail service with Georgia through Abkhazia.
On August 8, 2008, Russia intervened in the armed conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia, and subsequently recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Following this, Georgia considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be territories occupied by Russia, according to a "Caucasian Knot" report on the "Five-Day War" of 2008.
The restoration of rail service between Russia and Georgia is not being discussed, Georgian Railways stated.
"Georgian Railways is not discussing the restoration of rail service between Russia and Georgia. Therefore, it is absolutely unclear to us why this issue has been put on the agenda," Interpressnews quotes the company as saying.
The absence of negotiations on this issue was also confirmed by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili. According to him, there is no communication with Moscow on this issue, and discussions on restoring relations are only possible if Georgia's territorial integrity is restored, JAMnews reports.
A railway between Russia and Georgia through Abkhazia existed during the Soviet period, connecting Sochi and Tbilisi via Sukhumi (the Abkhaz name is Sukhum) and Poti. After the war in Abkhazia in the early 1990s, passenger and freight service ceased, and the railway is now in a dilapidated state, reports Novosti-Gruzia.