Journalists comment on proposal to liquidate checkpoint on Abkhazian-Russian border

Ideally, the checkpoint on the Russian-Abkhazian border should be removed; but the Abkhazian society is extremely sensitive to this idea, seeing it as a step towards losing the independence, the journalists and political analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The issues of simplifying the border crossing regime were discussed at an expanded sitting of the Russian State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots. The head of the Committee, Leonid Kalashnikov, said after the sitting that the border checkpoint on the Russian-Abkhazian border in Psou could be liquidated.

In her comment on the idea to liquidate the checkpoint, Natella Akaba, a political analyst, has noted that logistical problems remain the main issue when entering Abkhazia. "There are very few employees at the checkpoint from the Russian side; therefore, there are huge traffic jams," she said, adding that in her opinion it'd not reasonable to abolish the control whatsoever, since it may facilitate transportation of drugs and smuggling.

Anton Krivenyuk, a journalist, has supported the idea of liquidating the border checkpoint: "It should be removed; then, the traffic flow will increase and normal movement will set up."

Roin Agrba, another journalist, has noted that the Abkhazian society reacts extremely painfully to the statements about the need to remove the checkpoint, treating it as a step towards the loss of independence. Although, according to Mr Agrba, these are absolutely unrelated things.

He has also stressed that the main problems of crossing the border are caused by the unwillingness or inability of the Russian side to cope with the growing flow of tourists.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 28, 2022 at 05:47 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.