Senators and deputies participated in events commemorating the 15th anniversary of the international recognition of the country's independence.
The delegation from the Federal Assembly headed by Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev visited the Republic of Abkhazia on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the international recognition of its independence.
The delegation included State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Defence and Security Vladimir Chizhov, and State Duma Deputy Otari Arshba.
During a solemn event in Sukhum dedicated to Independence Day of that country, Konstantin Kosachev read a congratulatory message from the President of the Russian Federation. In August 2008, based on the free will of the Abkhaz people and guided by the provisions of the UN Charter and other fundamental international documents, Russia recognised the state sovereignty of the Republic.
The Federal Assembly delegation was received by the President of the Republic of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania. He noted that Russia's decision to recognise the state independence and sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia was motivated by the need to protect the peoples who had exercised their inalienable right to self-determination. This step was taken by the Russian leadership amid strong foreign pressure.
Russian parliamentarians met with Lasha Ashuba, the Speaker of the People's Assembly of the Republic of Abkhazia. “In Russia, there is an absolute consensus with regard to supporting the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Abkhazia and readiness to provide comprehensive assistance in implementing your plans for socioeconomic development,” Konstantin Kosachev said.
“Only our ill-wishers may try to divide the destinies of our peoples who are following their sovereign and independent paths,” the Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council said. We will use our strategic partnership and lasting relationship to give a comprehensive answer to these ill-wishers.”
The parties exchanged views on the prospects for strengthening the international legal status of the Republic of Abkhazia, including at the inter-parliamentary level. Lasha Ashuba mentioned that the Abkhaz side attached great importance to resuming the work of the Commission on Cooperation between the Federation Council and the People's Assembly of the Republic of Abkhazia, which will meet in Sukhum on 21 September.
In his remarks, Vladimir Chizhov noted that the international positions of the Republic of Abkhazia would continue to strengthen. “The number of countries recognising Abkhazia as an independent state is growing, and all of that is happening amid the emerging genuine multipolarity,” the senator said.
The Federal Assembly delegation took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial to those who died in the 1992–1993 Patriotic War of the people of Abkhazia and the memorials of the first presidents of Abkhazia, Vladislav Ardzinba and Sergei Bagapsh.
The senators held a working meeting with Commander of the 7th Russian military base in the Republic of Abkhazia Alexei Yakovenko.