On December 13, 2023, in Damascus, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia, Inal Ardzinba, was received by the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar al-Assad.

The meeting took place at the Al-Muhajireen Presidential Palace. 

Inal Ardzinba conveyed his warmest wishes on behalf of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania. 

The President of the Syrian Arab Republic accepted an invitation to visit the Republic of Abkhazia next year.

The parties expressed support for the special military operation carried out by the Russian Federation in Ukraine and condemned the actions and attempts of the United States to start conflicts in the Middle East, Transcaucasia, and other regions of the world. The parties noted Russia's efforts to form a more equitable system of international relations and strengthen multipolar trends in the global economy and politics.

President Bashar al-Assad stated that he would “make every effort to expand recognition of the state sovereignty of the Republic of Abkhazia by the countries of the Arab world.”

Besides, during the negotiations between the President of Syria and the head of the Foreign Ministry of Abkhazia:

Bashar al-Assad noted the importance of strengthening interaction between Abkhazia and Syria in the field of education, exchange of students and scientific cooperation. In addition, the head of the Syrian state announced support for projects to develop bilateral dialogue in the field of culture and sports. The parties positively assess the prospect of holding a friendly match between the national football teams of Abkhazia and Syria.

Bashar al-Assad noted the importance of attracting foreign investment for the development of the economies of Abkhazia and Syria. Inal Ardzinba informed the President of Syria about the efforts of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania to create a favorable investment climate in the country and actively work with investors. The relevance of joint Abkhazian-Syrian work with Russian and Belarusian investors was noted.

The parties condemned Israeli airstrikes on Syrian civilian infrastructure. The Foreign Minister of Abkhazia noted the importance of implementing UN Security Council resolutions (242 and 338) regarding the de-occupation of the Golan Heights. 

The parties condemned the actions of the collective West, which led to a humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip. 

The relevance of the fight against the destructive influence of certain international organizations and Western INGOs trying to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states around the world was highlighted.