Over the following years, Şahin continued to try and reform the Khanate.[9] Support for his reform programme remained low, and it was seriously undermined by the decision of Empress Catherine to resettle the Crimean Pontic Greeks on the northern shores of the Azov Sea, outside the Khanate. That community, which was Christian, was an essential part of the Crimean merchant class, and had most readily supported Şahin's reforms. This resettlement caused significant damage to the Crimean economy, and further weakened the position of the Khan.[9] Recognising defeat in Crimea, the Ottoman Empire signed the Convention of Aynali Kavak in early 1779.