“Ecocide” to cure Tbilisi of envy

Georgia has entered the path of legal arguments still hoping to win the case launched in the International Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg against Russia on massive deportation of Georgian citizens in 2006. Before this is done the Caucasian republic wants security. Now Georgia wants file another suit against Rosneft company because of the company's plans to start oil exploration and production on the Black Sea shelf in Abkhazia. Tbilisi considers these actions as a gross violation of international law and a number of Georgian laws.

December 24, 2010 is a truly black day for Georgian authorities. Rosneft corporation (Russia) and Abkhaztop signed a foundation agreement on establishment of RN-Abkhazia joint venture with the Russian company holding a controlling stake. In addition, the agreement on geological survey for search and evaluation of deep-sea hydrocarbon deposits within Gudauti part of the Black Sea under jurisdiction of the partially recognized republic was reached. Thus, Moscow reconfirms recognition with deeds shattering Georgia's dreams to impose territorial integrity on "breakaway territories".

Now Tbilisi is kicking itself. Everything that will be explored in the territory of Abkhazia will never reach Georgia's state treasury. As a result Mikheil Saakashvili and Co will not take part in great distribution of riches. That is why Georgian ministry of foreign affairs is lamenting over infringements of rights referring to violation of a number of laws by Russia allegedly aspiring to take advantage of the small and helpless neighbor. The laws are, in particular: 1982 UN Convention "On The Law of The Sea" and Georgian laws "On Occupied Territories" and "On Oil and Gas".

"Putting it mildly, Russia is not undergoing a technological boom thus, most probably Abkhazia will face "ecocide", - Georgi Khachidze, minister of environment protection and natural resources of Georgia adds remarking that in near future the ministry will inform international organizations on the ecological threat Abkhazia is facing and a plan to summon Rosneft, the trouble maker, to court.

The intention to litigate with the Russian company is Georgia's typical eccentricity in the international arena. Planning to catch Russia on "ecocide" that Georgia writes with inverted commas, the Caucasian republic is not afraid to take the beaten path. Filing a suit Georgia will be the first country trying to apply this notion in the economic context.

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