A bridge over troubled waters. Russia opens a new bridge to Abkhazia sending another chilling message to Georgia

The Russian President Dimirti Medvedev and the President of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia yesterday attended the commissioning of a new bridge connecting the territory to the Russian city of Sochi.

A new highway bridge has been opened in Sochi, on the border with Abkhazia, sources from the Russian Border Agency (Rosgranitsa) told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

At the moment the bridge operates in a test mode. Its capacity is 1,500 vehicles a day, including 1,200 motor vehicles, 100 buses and 140 trucks. It was built within the framework of modernization of the international motor checkpoint Adler. The project also envisages the construction of a new pedestrian terminal. Pedestrians, buses, motor vehicles and trucks will be undergoing customs control procedures separately. Vehicles will move on six lanes in each direction. Three separate lanes are designed for trucks and one - for tourist buses.

The construction of checkpoint's pedestrian section with the capacity of up to 30,000 people daily will also be finished this year.

The bridge is seen in Georgia as the latest Russian provocation and part of the ongoing process of bringing Abkhazia within the Russian sphere. Russia continues to push political, economic and infrastructural integration of Abkhazia in its system whilst ostensibly supporting its independence.

source: commonspace.eu with Itar-Tass

photo: President Medvedev greets the Abkhaz leader, Alexandr Ankvab at the bridge in Adler (picture courtesy of the Press Service of the President of Russia)

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Clouds of war gather in the Middle East

Clouds of war gather in the Middle East

Iran  has responded to Israeli attacks on Thursday night, firing missiles at targets in Israel, including in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Both side say that civilians got killed in the attacks. Clouds of war are now gathering across the Middle East  and there is fear that this conflict may expand to other players. The Iranian FARS News agency quoted the new commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as saying that Iran would would take Israel to the gates of hell over the latter’s deadly onslaught against Tehran which led to the death of senior military commanders, including the IRGC own commander, Major General Hossein Salami.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Clouds of war gather in the Middle East

Clouds of war gather in the Middle East

Iran  has responded to Israeli attacks on Thursday night, firing missiles at targets in Israel, including in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Both side say that civilians got killed in the attacks. Clouds of war are now gathering across the Middle East  and there is fear that this conflict may expand to other players. The Iranian FARS News agency quoted the new commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as saying that Iran would would take Israel to the gates of hell over the latter’s deadly onslaught against Tehran which led to the death of senior military commanders, including the IRGC own commander, Major General Hossein Salami.