On April 5, 2019, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia between Oleg Bartsits, Foreign Minister, Teimuraz Mikvabia, Minister of Economy and Daur Kove, Minister of Culture. The Somali delegation, which participated in the international economic forum "Abkhazia – Investments in the Future," was represented by trusted representatives of the Somali Foreign Minister Adana Muna Abdi and Ismail Hassan Nuur.

Also participating in the meeting were: from the Abkhaz side, Dmitry Amichba, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Artur Gagulia, Head of the Middle East and Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;and from the Somali side, accompanying person Ruslan Mark.

Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits thanked the Somali delegation for their interest in Abkhazia.
Oleg Bartsits noted: "We consider Somalia a very important country on the African continent. "This is a large and significant country with a population of approximately 20 million, important infrastructure, seaports, developed air travel, agriculture, and livestock farming. We respect the freedom-loving people of Somalia and hope to establish good economic and cultural relations."

"Abkhazia is a small country, but it enjoys a crucial geostrategic position. It boasts a rapidly developing economy and reliable allies in the Russian Federation. It is a country that is actively building its own national project. All government agencies are working hard, the country has a combat-ready army with modern technical equipment, and is also developing its own educational and healthcare institutions in alliance with our strategic ally and partner, Russia," he emphasized.

Oleg Bartsits spoke of the active development of cooperation, primarily with Russia, which is our main trade and economic partner. "We also understand our potential in transport and logistics, and therefore are developing our ports. The Sukhum International Airport named after V.G. Ardzinba has opened. Therefore, we look to the future with optimism and confidence and are confident that we already occupy a significant position in the economic division of the Eastern Black Sea region and the South Caucasus, and this role will only grow," the Foreign Minister emphasized.

The Foreign Minister noted that "we want to cooperate, communicate, and be friends with all countries that are willing to listen to us. We are already actively engaged with a number of African countries, and we would be delighted to welcome Somalia, which we consider a very important player on the African continent, into this fold."

Oleg Bartsits expressed his readiness to receive the Somali Foreign Minister at any time and thanked Ruslan Mark for his assistance in organizing of the visit of his Somali friends. He expressed hope for continued cooperation.

Economy Minister Teimuraz Mikvabia noted that Abkhazia has active maritime links with other countries and has a number of plans to develop the Republic's transit potential. "We are certainly open to dialogue with all countries and business partners who are ready to develop mutual relations hand in hand and with mutual respect," the Economy Minister emphasized.
Welcoming the Somali delegation, Daur Kove, Culture Minister noted that "the people of Somalia possess a unique and rich culture, and we would be very happy to share our cultural values with our peoples in the context of our possible cooperation. I think this will be very interesting for both the people of Somalia and the people of Abkhazia."

For her part, Adan Muna Abdi, Trustee of the Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs, thanked her for the reception and conveyed greetings from the Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs, who expressed hope for strengthening relations between Abkhazia and Somalia and the opportunity to visit Abkhazia in the future.

Adan Muna Abdi noted the existence of certain challenges facing the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries, which must be addressed.

During the meeting, the Abkhaz Minister of Economy spoke about the country's main economic sectors and its transit potential. Ismail Hassan Nuur, Trustee of the Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs, in turn, informed the two sides about goods imported by Somalia and goods in which the state is interested.
The parties also discussed other issues of mutual interest.