In the current year secessionist Abkhazia has to pass a law according to which Russian citizens will be able to buy a real estate in Abkhazia on "legal basis". The Abkhazian oppositional internet edition said that prices for the property in Abkhazia will soar and will be 4-times as higher as it was before passing this law. It is to be noted that the existing opposition in Abkhazia and experts are estimating such changes very negatively. They are declaring that initiator for such changes is Sergey Bagapsh, he wished to sold the property to Russians. During his visit in Moscow Bagapsh said that "legislation is prepared according to which Russian citizens can buy the realty in Abkhazia."
According to the presently existing legislation the realty in Abkhazia can buy only Abkhazian citizens. But Russian citizens have no right to do this. However this obstacle one may overcome easily. Even not taking the Abkhazian citizenship - for example the property bought by Russian citizen may be formally formed to the Abkhazian citizen, or in Abkhazia may be created a legal entity, a juridical person to whom the property will be legally approved, but this case is slightly harder as a risk to loose the property is higher. "Amendments to the law may decide many problems, but this still is to be approved by Abkhazian MPs, however I am not expecting any problems in this respect, "- Bagapsh said. Abkhazian so called Parliamentary Spokesman said in his interview with "Gazeta.ru" that the "new rules of game" will be established in the current year.
"Earlier in Sukhumi many empty houses were. However there was not so much Abkhazians to buy them. So this realty took our brothers - Russians, "- Ashuba said. Now the Parliament, he said, is discussing the question according to which foreign citizens will have a right to take a property in Abkhazia. "We are discussing to whom we will sale the property and to whom not. To those, who are against us, it is clear we will not give anything, "- Ashuba said.
Abkhazian political scientist, editor of oppositional newspaper "Chegemskaia Pravda" (Chegem truth) - Inal Khashig said he disagree with such amendments in law. He considers this will cause prices for property to soar.
At this time the prices for property according to Abkhazian web pages are from 500 000 RBL, however outside Sokhumi the prices are lower - 100 000 RBL. At the same time there are houses prices for which are several mn Russian Rubles. Maria Paramova, Director General of the real-estate agency "Land of mimosas" as well agree with Inal Khashig. "prices will increase at least for 2 times. And not because the law will be already in force but because the airline connection with Moscow will be open by that moment," - Paramova said. She considers that houses outside Sokhumi which now are not in demand will be easily sold after airline opening.
"For example from Ochamchire to Sokhumi it will be easier to get then from Gagra, "- Paramova said.
Khashig said that the "problem is the 17% of Abkhazians". Before the war namely only 17 % of Abkhaizans lived here. Now in Abkhazia approximately 200 thousand Abkhazians are. So Abkhazians are afraid that Russians will come for permanent residence here. The adverse effects will be shown only after 10 years. And when Russians will settle here for permanent residence they may demand new governmental changes and refusal to independent statehood, "- Khashig said. However Nugzar Ashuba said that he does not believe in possibility of such turn of events. No Russian will say at no event that Abkhazia is his land. The land is enough here for everyone, for Russians and for Abkhazians, "- Ashuba said.
Abkhazian opposition is as well against the sale of Abkhazian land. "However the government decided to pass the law while the opposition was in knockdown. Thanks to this decision some officials may get richer, but I do not think that the Abkhazian budget will change a little. This decision is lobbied by different developer organizations, behind them a bold persons are, "- Khashig said.
He as well said that such decisions of Bagapsh are presupposed by his "thankfulness to Russia for the recognition of Abkhazian state independence". As well we should consider as an expression of "thankfulness" all other steps made by government - contract about oil production, military bases dislocation and Abkhazian railway passed to Russia, " - Khashig said. At the same time Khashig underlined that Abkhazian railway is indeed in a very bad condition, but the passing of this object without considering of Abkhazian interests is very inappropriate step."
