the so-called authorities of occupied Abkhazia refused the visit to Abkhazia of Toivo Klaar, the special representative of the European Union for the crisis in the South Caucasus and Georgia.

"At the end of January 2024, within the framework of the implementation of my mandate, I was planning to visit Abkhazia. Unfortunately, the interlocutors there told me that this is not possible," Toivo Klaar said in a statement published by Jam News.

According to him, during the last half year, this so-called Abkhazia there is a second refusal from the government.

"This is the second time we have received such an answer in the last six months.

As you know, I have been to Abkhazia many times in the last six years. The European Union plays a key role in dialogue and conflict resolution efforts in the South Caucasus, including between Tbilisi and Sukhumi," Toivo Klaar writes.

According to him, despite the fundamental political differences and disagreements, the European Union has always managed to keep communication channels open with Abkhazia.

"The relative openness of Abkhazia should not become a victim of Russia's war against Ukraine," writes Toivo Klaar.

According to him, closing communication channels with Abkhazia is not in anyone's interest.

"We have reached a situation where Abkhazia seems to be closing down. I do not see how these events are in anyone's interest, especially in the interests of the population of Abkhazia.

There are many challenges that need to be solved, but closing the space for international engagement or limiting the activities of international organizations - and thereby limiting aid to Abkhazia - only exacerbates these problems," Toivo Klaar wrote.