The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia Oleg Bartsits sent a note to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Ivan Gil Pinto on the occasion of the sixteenth anniversary of the recognition of the independence and state sovereignty of the Republic of Abkhazia by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The note reads, in particular:

"The day of September 10, 2009 is a truly significant date in the modern history of our state. In Abkhazia, the decision of the leadership of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the person of the great leader and great friend of Abkhazia Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías to support the historical right of the people of Abkhazia to self-determination will always be remembered with a feeling of profound gratitude.

In a relatively short period of time, strong bonds of friendship have been formed between our countries, based on a sense of deep mutual respect and trust. We have a very good degree of mutual understanding and coincidence of positions on issues of bilateral interstate cooperation.

The government and people of Abkhazia share and support the creative activities of the leadership of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, aimed at building a dignified and lasting peace based on respect for the independence and sovereignty of peoples, their right to independent development. Our countries are united by a commitment to a peaceful foreign policy and the rejection of any kind of pressure on sovereign states in international relations.

In these difficult times, we express our solidarity and unconditional support to the leadership of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. We are convinced that neither military threats nor colossal political pressure from outside can break the main thing - the firmness and fortitude of the Venezuelan people.

Your Excellency, based on the positive potential for cooperation accumulated over the years of interstate interaction, we are ready to do everything possible to promote the further expansion of the strategic partnership between our states.”