On October 24, 2019, Alias Khashba, Nicaragua's Honorary Consul in Abkhazia met with Katerina Velasquez, the leading soloist of the Nicaraguan Incanto Foundation (Nicaraguan Vocal Institute), winner of the second prize in the Opera Singing category, and recipient of the special prize from the Irina Samodaeva Foundation: "Concert on Mexican Television and a Solo Concert" at the 4th Alisa Gitsba International Music Competition-Laboratory "Music – Dialogue Without Borders and Distance" at the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Nicaragua in the Republic of Abkhazia. Madina Zukhba, Head of the Department of Latin America, Asia, and the Asia-Pacific Region of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia participated in the meeting.
Alias Khashba congratulated Katerina Velasquez on her awards and wished her success in her creative endeavors. The Honorary Consul spoke about the consulate's work, particularly its cultural activities.
Madina Zukhba noted that the competition, supported by the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives of the Russian Federation, as well as the government and leadership of the Republic of Abkhazia is extremely important for further strengthening of intercultural dialogue and cooperation between our countries.
The diplomat recalled that "during the visit of the delegation of the Republic of Abkhazia, led by Oleg Bartsits, Foreign Minister to the friendly Republic of Nicaragua in July of this year and meetings with the Nicaraguan leadership, Laureano Ortega, Presidential Advisor expressed mutual interest in further intensifying of our bilateral cooperation and giving it real substance, including through expanding of humanitarian cooperation.
Today, we are extremely pleased with the practical implementation of the agreements reached regarding the development of cultural ties between our countries." Madina Zukhba expressed confidence that "many joint initiatives and projects lie ahead that will further strengthen our interstate cooperation."
Katerin Velasquez, in turn, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended to Abkhazia. She noted that "there is a great mutual respect between our governments and a commitment to working together and developing of relations in business and the economy. But the relationship in the cultural sphere is especially dear to me, because culture is always something higher than politics; it brings us closer together. I am glad to be part of this sphere."