GEORGIA ACCUSES TURKEY OF HELPING ABKHAZIA

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
26.05.2009 16:18 GMT+04:00

Tbilisi requires Turkish representation of Benetton to observe Georgian
laws. Georgia is not opposed to commercial companies’ activities at
the occupied territories, unless they contradict Georgian laws on
occupied territories, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze stated.

"To work in occupied territories of Georgia, Benetton has to be
officially registered, have a tax code, pay taxes and act with
Tbilisi’s permission. If any company fails to observe the regulations,
legal and economic consequences will follow."

Turkish Ambassador to Georgia, Ertan Tesgor was asked for official
clarifications in connection with Benetton’s Turkish representation
intention to start working in the territory of Abkhazia.

Tension in Georgian-Turkish relations has been observed since April
2009, when Georgian border guards detained Turkish ships in neutral
waters. Ships delivered building materials, fuel and foodstuff. Denfa
Demet vessel was detained on May 5, PUR NAVOLOK dry cargo ship –
on May 24, New Star cargo ship- on May 30.

Zaur Ardzinba, Director of Abkhazian Maritime Company stated in this
connection, "Georgian guards are behaving like Somali pirates in the
Gulf of Aden," 1news.az reported.