Gennady Gaguliya: We will continue to participate in various international exhibitions
A press conference, which was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of RA, was dedicated to a journey of representatives of CCI of RA to Montenegro on the international tourist exhibition «METUBES».
Opening the press conference, the President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Gennady Gaguliya noted that the geography of travel organization is diverse, the delegation of CCI of RA visited many states, but for the first time visited the country very similar to the climate and the nature of Abkhazia.
Gaguliya reminded that the Republic of Montenegro (population - 621 thousand people, the area - 13 812 km2) received its independence from Serbia 10 years ago. Key sectors of the economy of Montenegro - tourism, which accounts for 25-30% of GDP, and agriculture (tobacco, citrus, vine, fruit and vegetables). At the same products here - environmentally friendly. Annual investment in the country - EUR 3 billion (27% - a Russian investment). By the way, 70 thousand apartments are owned by Russians in Montenegro.
Gennady Gaguliya said that the first official invitation to come to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry is on the managers of the exhibition.
"It makes us very surprised, because usually we are always looking exhibitions by ourselves and conduct long negotiations in which country. We were very warmly welcomed in Budva, which hosted the exhibition stand and helped organize two days of the exhibition took place on "hurray". To us came the mass of people, including a lot of Russians, we were the envy of other participants ", - said the President of the CCI.
All went well, but by the end of the second day of the exhibition to the Abkhazian stand came dressed in civilian clothes, and representatives of security agencies as directed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro demanded that the Abkhazian delegation to immediately leave the exhibition center. However, they referred to the Georgian protest against the participation in the exhibition of Abkhazia as an independent state.
"The police did not provide us with any documents and only said that they were acting on the orders of the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro. We categorically refused to leave the pavilion. The police were very rude, I thought that we were all arrested ... their ardor cooled the fact that we are all citizens of Russia. Then they pulled the tarp on our pavilion and were told that we can sit inside as we want, but the exposure will be closed ", - said Gennady Gaguliya.
He recalled that the CCI of RA has participated in many exhibitions in different countries -. France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Hungary, etc., and there were protests from the Georgian diplomats, but no one infringes upon the rights of the Abkhaz delegation and did not close the Abkhaz Pavilion.
"We have received an official invitation from the business entity. Exhibition organizers themselves were surprised occurred and brought us an apology. Closing our pavilion was surprising for all exhibitors. The Montenegrin authorities have gone on about Georgia. However, we understand the behavior of Montenegrins, the country has strained relations with Russia, they want to join in the EU and do not want to spoil relations with the European Union and Georgia, which is supported by the United States and Europe ", - stated Gennady Gaguliya.
The president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry pointed out that the delegation will continue to participate in various exhibitions.
"Many people think that the war is over and we can calm down, but it is not so! The war goes on: we have an opponent, has his protests, we do not just leave him alone and we need every day to prove their right to independence, including participation in exhibitions. Although travel costs increased by 3 times - it is connected with the growth of the exchange rate, we will continue to work in this direction ", - said Gennady Gaguliya.
According to him, in spite of the closing of the pavilion, the Abkhaz delegation completed its mission: the Republic of Abkhazia became an official annual exhibition catalog, it handed out to all participants and visitors, travel companies and Abkhaz advertisement was placed on the cover.
"I'm glad that there was a scandal. Some people related to our trips with skepticism in the country. Many people forget that we have to think about the future and think of how to behave, "- said Gaguliya.
He said that after the closing of the pavilion, the delegation an opportunity to take a walk in Budva.
"The holiday season has not yet begun, but in Montenegro always clean and tidy. And we have all year dirt and products of unknown origin. And at the same time we urge to respect "Apsuara" even though you just have to live according to conscience, "- said Gennady Gaguliya.
According to him, the world is not so easy to win.
"We invite all to rest in Abkhazia, but what have people see? What we can show in addition to natural beauty? I have been to many tourist countries. Trust me - the comparison is not in our favor! If we continue to live this way, then we are not to be trusted. Our main advantage of today - it's a huge number of parties and public organizations that are growing like mushrooms after rain. Here we are ahead of the rest. But this does not lead to the unity of the people and the improvement of life in our country, "- noted with regret Gaguliya.
