The de facto structures in South Ossetia welcome Tbilisi’s decision to abolish the so-called “South Ossetian Administration,” calling it “useless and meaningless.”
Georgian Dream is dissolving the temporary administrative-territorial unit created on the territory of the former South Ossetian Autonomous District.
Speaking to Sputnik, Yuri Vazagov, a political analyst and representative of the de facto president’s administration in the occupied region, claimed that the structure was initially a “project of Western donors” and for years remained a “senseless and useless mechanism.”
“From the very beginning, the activities of this structure were possible thanks to Western donors. The project of Dmitry Sanakoev’s administration was planned by Western intelligence services. Every program South Ossetia’s population received through this channel was financed by the West,” Vazagov said.
According to him, due to reduced funding in Georgia, it is now natural to question how this body could continue to function.
Vazagov added that the structure failed to achieve its intended goals over the years:
“This structure was based on illusions from the outset – as if it were possible to create division within South Ossetian society or find pro-Georgian forces. It is now clear to everyone that it was merely a mechanism for wasting Western grants,” he said.
Vazagov noted that for the people of South Ossetia, it makes no difference what Tbilisi decides, though Georgian political discourse remains a “litmus test” for them:
“Unfortunately, no positive changes are visible.”
He added that the “divorce process” between Tbilisi and Brussels has already impacted programs previously implemented in the direction of South Ossetia:
“Against the backdrop of reduced EU funding, project activity toward South Ossetia has stopped. But new mechanisms will simply be sought,” since, according to him, Tbilisi’s attempts to exert “growing soft influence” continue, and even “intellectual and financial resources” of some Russian opposition figures were used for these purposes.
“Tbilisi does not lose interest in South Ossetia, regardless of what changes occur,” Vazagov said.