On January 20, 2018, a meeting between Igor Smirnov and the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Abkhazia in Pridnestrovie Alexander Vataman took place in the office of the First President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.

The meeting was attended by deputies of the Supreme Council of the First Convocation of Pridnestrovie Vladimir Rylyakov, Vladimir Yemelyanov, Vyacheslav Zagryadsky.
The meeting was dedicated to the 32-nd anniversary of the signing of the Treaty "On Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of Abkhazia and the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic".
The Treaty, signed on January 22, 1993 by Vladislav Ardzinba, the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia and Igor Smirnov, the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic became the basic document and served as the basis for the formation of relations between Abkhazia and Pridnestrovie. This document defined and legally recorded the strategic, partnership nature of relations between Abkhazia and Transnistria, based on mutual respect, friendship and consideration of each other's interests.
The meeting participants recalled how the agreement was signed in January 1993.
On January 21, 1993, a group of deputies of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia arrived in Tiraspol. They brought with them the text of the agreement signed by Vladislav Grigorievich Ardzinba, the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia.
The Abkhaz delegation was met and accompanied on Transnistrian land by Vladimir Rylyakov, who at that time was a deputy of the Supreme Council of Transnistria and headed the Tiraspol City Council of People's Deputies.

The signature on the Agreement from the Transnistrian side was put by Igor Smirnov, the President of Transnistria. The signing took place in the President's office in the presence of Transnistrian deputies and the Abkhaz delegation.
On January 26, 1993, the Treaty was ratified in the Supreme Council of Transnistria.
The visit of the Abkhaz delegation in January 1993 also included the resolution of issues related to Transnistria's assistance to the warring of Abkhazia. Throughout the Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia in 1992-1993, volunteers traveled from Transnistria to Abkhazia, and at the state level, Transnistria provided material and technical assistance.
During the meeting, Igor Smirnov, Vladimir Rylyakov, Vladimir Yemelyanov, Vyacheslav Zagryadsky showed interest in the situation in the Republic of Abkhazia, its pre-election component and many other topics related to the life of Abkhazia. Alexander Vataman answered all questions of interest in detail.
The Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Abkhazia in Pridnestrovie Alexander Vataman thanked Igor Smirnov and the deputies of the first Convocation for their attention to the processes taking place in Abkhazia, for the constant support that has been provided throughout the entire period of cooperation between our Republics by the Leadership of Pridnestrovie and the deputies.
For his part, Igor Smirnov congratulated the fraternal people of Abkhazia on the anniversary of the signing of the First Treaty. He wished peaceful sky to the beautiful Republic of Abkhazia and well-being to all its residents.
At the end of the meeting, Alexander Vataman handed Igor Smirnov a commemorative photo album "Aiaaira" and a collection of Abkhaz proverbs.