GEORGIA RUINS RELATIONS WITH TURKEY OVER ITALIAN CLOTHES
PRAVDA
May 28 2009
Russia
The Georgian government aggravated relations with neighbors. Until
recently Turkey was the only Georgia friendly border state. However,
Saakashvili Government "corrected this omission" and threatened with
sanctions to Turkish companies engaged in business with Abkhazia.
Georgia spoiled relations with the last friendly neighbor –
Turkey. Georgia does not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia. She
accuses Russia of the aggression, committed by Georgia itself. Georgia
has some discord with Azerbaijan and Armenia rooted mainly in the
problems with Armenian and Azeri nationals living in Georgia. In case
of Armenia, the situation is worsening by the fact that Georgia once
and again threatened to cut gas supplies to this country.
Now it is Turkey . Apparently the Turks and the Georgians have nothing
to quarrel about. Today Turkey is not pursuing its former aggressive
politics in the Caucasus and does not aspire to expand its influence
to Georgia. But strange as it may seem, the conflict is initiated
in Tbilisi.
On May 2 Turkish paper The Hurriyet published an article saying that
the Turkish branch of Italy’s Benetton company, one of the world’s
fashion brands, is planning to open stores in Sukhumi, the capital
of Abkhazia. The publication was followed by the angry response from
Tbilisi . Georgia demanded explanation from Turkey.
Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze made an official
statement. "Tbilisi requests the Turkish Benetton representation
to act in the framework of Georgian law. Georgia is not against the
activity of any commercial firm or company on Georgian territory in
case this activity is in compliance with the Georgian law for the
occupied territories. Before starting its work in Georgia and on the
occupied territories, Benetton should have been officially registered
possessing the tax code, paying taxes and acting on the permission
of Tbilisi authorities. If any company is not in compliance with the
rules or violates them, legal and economic consequences will follow,"
the minister said.
But that was not the end of the story: Mr. Ertan Tezgor, Turkish
Ambassador was requested to submit official explanations in regard
with the plans of Turkey’s Benetton Branch to open its premises in
Abkhazia territory. Imagine the astonishment of the Turkish ambassador
on hearing the pretensions more so that he was not in a position to
represent a private company.
It is worth to recollect that the present aggravation between Georgia
and Turkey was first noted in April 2009 when Georgian border guards
detained several Turkish ships in neutral waters. Those ships were
carrying construction materials, fuel and different commodities
including pork to Abkhazia. Thus on May 5 they stopped "Denfa Demet",
on 24 May – "PUR NAVOLOK" freighter and the "New Star" – on May 30.
In connection with the incidents Mr. Zaur Ardzinba, Director, "Abkhaz
Merchant Marine Shipping Company" said: "Georgian border guards behave
like Somali pirates in the Aden Gulf".