Abkhazian scientists are planning a joint expedition with London colleagues

Sukhum. October 14. Apsnypress. Irena Jopua. The conference gathered more than 400 participants from 150 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and America, told Apsnypress Chairman of the State Committee on Ecology and Nature Protection, Savely Chitanava.

Chitanava noted that the delegation of the Republic of Abkhazia was presented as the "scientists from the Republic of Abkhazia", which is important for recognition of science in our country by the international community. 

"In Soviet times a lot of people knew about us, we were visited by scholars from around the world. After the collapse of the Union, and the war we were under siege, all communications were interrupted. And now, finally, there is the opportunity to go on such a significant conference and to express ourselves. In our reports, published in the proceedings of the conference, we were presented, as scientists from the Institute of Botany of the Republic of Abkhazia, which is quite significant. Following the presentation we were approached by the participants and asked questions, and not only on the topics of our reports, but also interested in where our country is. We, in turn, invited scientists of the International Conference to Abkhazia, dedicated to the 175th anniversary of the Sukhum botanical garden, which will be held next year', - Chitanava said.

Abkhazian researchers also visited the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London. Following the meeting with the head offices of seed bank botanical garden is planned to conclude a contract for the collection of seeds of endemic plants of Abkhazia.

"They are launching a project to collect seed bank of Caucasian flora and are ready to take our employee and teach him his method, and in the summer of next year to organize a joint expedition to Abkhazia", - Chitanava said.

In addition, he said, the London colleagues are interested in the herbarium, which is stored at the Institute of Botany, which is included in the global catalog of herbarium specimens, labeled as "particularly valuable".