Raul Khajimba: international recognition has determined a qualitatively new stage in the development of Abkhazia

A solemn event dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the International Recognition of the Independence of the Republic of Abkhazia takes place at the Abkhazian State Drama Theater.

Sukhum. August, 26th. Apsnypress. President of Abkhazia Raul Khajimba made an address at the solemn event dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the International Recognition of the Independence of the Republic of Abkhazia at the Abkhazian State Drama Theater.
  
 The head of state, in particular, said:
   
 "10 years ago, on August 26, 2008, by decree of the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of South Ossetia were recognized as sovereign and independent states. 

 The difficult, courageous, but most important, fair decision of the Russian leadership was based on the norms of international law and dictated by the logic of the political development of our states, the military-political and geopolitical situation in the Transcaucasian region and the tasks of the physical preservation of our peoples.
 
 We have been going for recognition for a long time. Even in the most difficult times, when the country that won the bloody war was devastated and blocked, we hardly survived physically, no one doubted the chosen course for building a sovereign and independent state. The people and the leadership of the country were united in a clear understanding of the key importance of the stated political goals.
 
 "Every day we have lived, every business we have done brings us closer to the Day of Recognition anyway," said the founder of the Abkhaz state, Vladislav Ardzinba, who already in the 1990s foresaw the inevitability of the recognition of the Republic of Abkhazia by the Russian Federation.
 
 The second President of the Republic of Abkhazia, Sergey Vasilievich Bagapsh deserves great credit for achieving the recognition and restoration of the territorial integrity of Abkhazia. In the crucial period of our history, he adopted a number of important and difficult decisions for the benefit of the people and the state.
 
 Recognition by the Russian Federation entailed similar acts on the part of Venezuela, Nicaragua and other countries. Abkhazia strives for further development and strengthening of relations with these states, is ready for concrete steps in this direction.
 
 International recognition has determined a qualitatively new stage in the development of our country. Abkhazia has significantly changed: security issues have been radically solved, significant changes have taken place in the sphere of economic and social development, the situation in the field of education, health and culture has improved, legislation has been significantly strengthened, and large-scale infrastructure projects have been implemented. 

 First of all, the legal basis of the Abkhaz-Russian interstate relations began to develop actively. In addition to the two basic framework treaties, 17 interstate agreements, 41 intergovernmental agreements, 31 interagency agreements and 43 agreements with Russia's subjects have been signed-more than 130 contracts regulating our mutual relations and cooperation in various fields.
 
 After the entry into force in 2015 of the Treaty on Alliance and Strategic Partnership, relations between Abkhazia and Russia reached a qualitatively new level. We have made a real breakthrough in developing cooperation in defense and security, law enforcement, health and human development. And today we need to take maximum advantage of the full range of opportunities that this Treaty contains. 

 Over the past decade, Russia has provided us with significant financial assistance for promoting economic development, through direct budget investment and pensions financing. The total amount of this financial assistance, excluding pension payments for 10 years, exceeded 40 billion rubles. In recent years, the share of Russian funding in the country's national budget has been gradually decreasing, which generally corresponds to the declared strategic goals of ensuring an acceptable level of self-financing. Even today, thanks to Russian financial assistance, we can address the most important social issues and tasks of economic and infrastructural development. 
 
 Despite the fact that the process of further international recognition is actively hindered by Georgia and its Western partners, Abkhazia is taking consistent steps aimed at strengthening its international legal status. As a result of this work, with the allied support of the Russian Federation this year the Republic of Abkhazia was officially recognized by the Syrian Arab Republic. Such a significant international breakthrough creates new opportunities for Abkhazia's interaction with the outside world.
 
 Soon, the first official visit of the delegation of Abkhazia to Syria will be held, high-level talks are planned with the signing of bilateral documents.
 
Today we need to continue efforts to strengthen the international position of Abkhazia. We need to interact at different levels - interparliamentary, public, economic, humanitarian, to seek opportunities for presence in various formats on international platforms. 

 Abkhazia should be connected to integration associations created with the assistance of Russia.
 
Broad international recognition is a long and complex process, but we will definitely achieve our goals. "