Today we celebrate the 32-nd anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia. Vladislav Grigorievich Ardzinba signed the decree on the establishment of the Ministry on May 17, 1993 being the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia.

The Abkhaz diplomacy was formed in the most difficult conditions. The foundations of our diplomatic service were laid and its traditions were formed during wartime. In the difficult post-war period, the staff of the Foreign Ministry defended and protected the national interests of our Motherland, despite all the difficulties.

Abkhaz diplomacy entered a new stage on August 26, 2008, when the Russian Federation, the first of the UN member states, recognized the Republic of Abkhazia as a sovereign and independent state.

The staff of the Central Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and foreign missions have always been a team of professionals united by a single idea. Today, based on the achieved results, we are obliged to make every effort to solve effectively the tasks facing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I would like to address separately the veterans of the Abkhaz diplomatic service, those who previously worked in the diplomatic field, and thank them for their achievements and work, for passing on their knowledge and experience to young employees.

Dear veterans, employees of the Central Office and foreign missions, on this significant day, I wish everyone peace, prosperity and success.