On November 14, the 7-th regular Plenary Session of the Federation of Abkhaz Cultural Centers in Turkey was held in Izmit, Turkey. There were the deputies of the Republic of Abkhazia of the National Assembly-Parliament of the Republic of Abkhazia headed by Valeri Kvarchia, the Speaker; Vadim Kharazia, the Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Abkhazia on Repatriation; Inver Alshundba, the Head of the Turkey and Middle East Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia; Inar Gitsba and Alas Asabua, Ambassadors at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia and representatives of Abkhaz- Abaza Diaspora organizations from Jordan, KCR.

The election of the new Chairman and the Board of the Federation was on the agenda of the Plenary Session. As a result of voting by the delegates of the Plenary Session Murat (Gyumyushch) Makharia was elected as the Chairman of the Federation of Abkhaz Cultural Centers.

During the meeting a welcome address on behalf of Daur Kove, the Minister of Foreign Affairs was handed over, which in particular noted:

"For eleven years, the Federation has consistently followed the path of protection of the Abkhaz culture and language, introduces the history and life of the Abkhaz people not only to the younger generation of compatriots living abroad, but also the whole people of the Republic of Turkey, defends the interests of the Republic of Abkhazia at all available to this important public organization."

"I express my confidence that the Federation of Abkhaz Cultural Centers will continue to base its activities on the values handed down from generation to generation and will uphold the interests of all Abkhaz people both in Turkey and beyond its borders."