This publication contains a collection of articles produced by Abkhaz and Georgian experts on the subject of the political and economic dividends – or losses – that could be brought about by regulating economic relations across the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict divide. It is an outcome of an action research process that began in 2009 and evolved more generally from International Alert’s Economy and Conflict work in the South Caucasus on engaging economic actors in peacebuilding. The aim of this publication is to stimulate discussion on the potential political and economic impact of transparent and predictable cross-Ingur/i economic relations. While it does not at this point put forward any concrete models or proposals for regulating cross-Ingur/i economic relations, it attempts to lay the groundwork for further specialised research and policy recommendations.

The need for greater ‘engagement’ with Abkhazia has been widely acknowledged by the international community and is now even enshrined in official European and Georgian policies. Nevertheless, as ‘meaningful’ engagement is slow to materialise, the trend on the ground is of increasing alienation rather than rapprochement. In order to understand this, Georgian and Abkhaz researchers examined the original rationale and motivation behind isolationist policies, after which they compare and contrast the relatively recent European and Georgian ‘engagement’ strategies. Both Georgian & Abkhaz authors conclude that despite the similarities between the two strategies, they actually have quite contrasting aims at their heart which reflect the ‘isolation/de-isolation’ debate. The Abkhaz paper goes on to reflect on the internal discourse on ‘de-isolation’, offering some insight into why political struggles that manipulate the dichotomy of Russia versus the West gain so much traction.

In this study, Georgian and Abkhaz researchers examine one of the fundamental polarising issues of the conflict – the political status of Abkhazia. While Russia formally recognised Abkhazia as an independent state in August 2008, the ‘non-recognition’ of Abkhazia remains the cornerstone of Georgian and international policy. Georgian researchers explore how sustainable the policy of non-recognition is, under what conditions the policy might fail and what Georgia would do in those circumstances. The Abkhaz researchers examine what opportunities and limitations their current status of ‘partial’ recognition affords them, and what concessions Abkhazia might be willing to make in order to get recognition. A survey of respondents reveals some surprisingly ambivalent attitudes towards the question of recognition, though the reader should avoid drawing the wrong conclusions from this.

This collection of papers by researchers from Georgia and Abkhazia offers an analysis of international engagement in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict resolution process since the early 90s, with a specific focus on post-August 2008 and the departure of the UN Observer Mission in 2009. Papers assess the impact of non-governmental peacebuilding initiatives, the effectiveness of the ‘Geneva discussions’ co-facilitated by the UN, EU and OSCE, and explore prospects for Abkhaz engagement with the international community. Together, the papers make a powerful argument for the de-isolation of Abkhazia and for continued direct and impartial engagement by both governmental and non-governmental organisations.

В данном отчете представлен анализ мнений грузинских и абхазских общественных экспертов о необходимости создания гарантий безопасности, причин, по которым стороны не смогли достичь соглашения по этому поводу, а также возможности будущих соглашений. Как таковой, документ отражает достижения долговременного участия организации "Интернэшнл Алерт" (International Alert) в развитии диалога между лидерами грузинского и абхазского гражданского общества. Он освещает продвижение в процессе диалога, в то же время представляя свой вклад в дискуссию о гарантиях безопасности. Эта публикация - попытка представить новые рамки анализа диалога в целях стимулировать общение и обсуждение через границы конфликта. Как для грузинского, так и для абхазского общества представляет интерес вовлечение другой стороны во внутреннюю дискуссию, что также помогло бы международным игрокам, имеющим интересы в мирном разрешении конфлита, понять грузинскую и абхазскую стороны лучше.

This report examines the lessons learned from the three year Monitoring the Implementation of Small Arms Controls (MISAC) project which addressed the barriers to the implementation of international controls on small arms such as the 2001 Programme of Action and the UN Firearms Protocol as well as regional control measures such as the EU Code of Conduct, the OSCE Small Arms Document the OAS Convention and the ECOWAS Moratorium. It assesses the key barriers to implementation as well as drawing lessons learned from those countries and regions which have implemented these controls. It concentrates on the lessons learned from three regions, Eurasia, West Africa and Latin America.

Ce rapport expose en termes comparatifs les enseignements clés tirés du projet d’International Alert sur le suivi de l’application des contrôles des ALPC. Le projet a examine le processus de mise en ouvre des mesures régionales et internationales de contrôle des ALPC en Eurasie, en Amérique Latine et en Afrique occidentale. Chacun des rapports examinant un pays en particulier contient également des recommandations spécifiques et lecteur pourra se référer à ces rapports lorsqu’il souhaitera approfondir les enjeux liés au contexte propre d’un pays ou d’une région. Ce rapport est cependant conçu de manière à fournir au lecteur une vue globale et comparative des obstacles principaux à l’application des traites sur le contrôle des ALPC.