The decision announced by the authorities regarding the abolition of faculties in state universities will destroy the education system and eliminate the only displaced university — Sokhumi State University, which under this approach will ultimately be closed, stated Paata Davitaia, Chairman of the party "European Democrats."

According to Davitaia, Sokhumi State University carries political significance, and the closure of its faculties is a political step that in effect moves toward the recognition of Abkhazia.

"As has become known, admissions at Sokhumi University will be limited to agricultural studies, Georgian-Abkhaz language and literature, and pedagogy. The government's project completely destroys Sokhumi University, which under this approach will probably enroll no more than about one hundred students. Sokhumi University has never had an agricultural faculty, which will require accreditation procedures. Interest in the Georgian-Abkhaz language and literature faculty is very low, and perhaps only two students will enroll. The abolition of leading faculties and the 'hollowing out' of a state university in this manner will inevitably end with its closure.

Unfortunately, the university's historic faculties are being abolished, including the Faculty of Law, which was the fourth law faculty in the Transcaucasus after those of Baku, Yerevan, and Tbilisi State Universities. In reality, the directions that were essential for Sokhumi University's existence have been shut down. At a time when history is being falsified and rewritten by separatists in Abkhazia, the abolition of the Faculty of History at Sokhumi University sends a very negative signal.

It is regrettable that the Georgian authorities have chosen this path, especially when in Sokhumi the Abkhazian University is signing agreements with Moscow universities, where young people are being trained against the Georgian state. Under these circumstances, the Georgian government has closed the only legitimate structure that preserved the Georgian spirit in Abkhazia — not only in terms of education, but also in maintaining the community that was preserved in Sokhumi.

We have seen that these changes have not affected Batumi State University; the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara has taken responsibility for maintaining its faculties. The Government of Abkhazia could have done the same but has shifted into a mode of silence and is focused only on receiving salaries.

It is very unfortunate that while one autonomy retains its university unchanged, another autonomy is deprived of its state university. In this step, one can clearly see how devastated the Abkhazia direction and our national interests are within the state — a process in which even the legitimate government of Abkhazia is involved, as by abolishing the university it contributes to extinguishing the Georgian spirit in Abkhazia.

Sokhumi State University has political significance; the closure of its faculties is a political step that effectively moves toward recognizing Abkhazia. Sokhumi University should be located not in Tbilisi, but in Sokhumi. In the event of Abkhazia's return, it would send a strong message if the displaced university returned to Abkhazia with its Georgian spirit, students, and professors. Therefore, preserving Sokhumi University is crucial. As a displaced university, it should not be subjected to reform principles that would destroy it.

What has been carried out against Sokhumi University is absolutely unacceptable. I am confident that after a change of government, Sokhumi State University will regain its lost status, because this university is a symbol and hope for the return of Abkhazia — for which I personally will do everything," Paata Davitaia stated.