Meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia Oleg Bartsits and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov:

(Moscow, June 6, 2025)

Opening remarks by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia Oleg Bartsits:

Dear Sergey Viktorovich, dear colleagues, first of all, I would like to sincerely thank you, Sergey Viktorovich, for the invitation to visit the Russian Federation, for the congratulations that were sent to me and for the warm and cordial welcome that we are being given.

Also, taking this opportunity, I would like to sincerely congratulate you on the receiving of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, a very high award of Russia. We in Abkhazia profoundly respect and appreciate your efforts, which you have been making for a long time to strengthen the relations between the Republic of Abkhazia and the Russian Federation, and to protect our interests, among other things, with the help of the Russian Federation.

The cooperation that is taking place between our countries is global and comprehensive. Today, it has been given additional impetus. We see how processes are intensifying in many areas of broad cooperation, including, of course, in the field of socio-economic development of the Republic of Abkhazia.

Large-scale ambitious projects are being fulfilled and have already been implemented, which are of colossal importance for our country. In particular, this is the opening of the Sukhum International Airport named after V. G. Ardzinba. After more than 30 years, our air harbor has begun to function and is actively receiving tourists, primarily from Russia, who want to visit our country.

The railway service has been launched and is already functioning. Hundreds of people visit Abkhazia using the "Dioskuria" branded train. We recently solemnly received it, on the eve of Victory Day.

Large-scale educational and medical projects are being implemented. The leadership of the Ministry of Health is a frequent guest in our country. More and more centers with high technological equipment are opening. The construction of a children's hospital is currently in the active phase. The level of interaction is very high, as you quite rightly noted.

Two full-fledged meetings have already been held between the Presidents of our countries, Badra Zurabovich Gunba and Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. Of course, such a level of interaction gives an additional momentum to our relations and creates conditions for the sustainable development of the Republic of Abkhazia.

One of the most important aspects of our interaction with the Russian Federation is the preservation of the general outline, the general security architecture in the region of the South Caucasus, the Eastern Black Sea region. We attach great importance to this, we work as partners, as allies, understanding how important these aspects of our cooperation are.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank you for your participation and for your initiatives in the area of ​​educational programs with MGIMO and the Diplomatic Academy - my native educational institution. And now, at the present time, a new format of interaction, which we treat with great hope - the advanced training for employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia within the walls of MGIMO. I am convinced that our cooperation is irreversible, intensive, based on truly allied, partnership and friendly relations between our countries and peoples. Thank you.

Opening remarks by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov:

Dear Oleg Msasovich,

Dear friends,

We are glad to welcome you.

As I understand, this is your first visit to Russia in your new capacity after your appointment in April of this year. In addition to written congratulations, allow me to once again use this opportunity to wish you success in person in this field for the benefit of the Republic of Abkhazia.

We remember when you worked here for a long time as a trade representative. Trade turnover data grew steadily every year. Of course, the trade mission in Moscow contributed to this.

Our countries are allies with a centuries-old history. Now we are forming a single space of security and defense in accordance with the decisions of our presidents. We are harmonizing the Abkhazian socio-economic legislation with the Russian one in order to use the resources available for the purposes and assistance to the Republic as effectively as possible to achieve results that will be visible in terms of pensions, healthcare, education and other spheres.

Following the two meetings of Presidents V.V. Putin and B.Z. Gunba on March 5 this year and May 10 this year, a strategic agenda has been outlined. It will be detailed and developed, including through our ministries.

Today we have a good opportunity to talk about bilateral plans and instructions and how we will continue our efforts in the international arena, primarily in the South Caucasus region.

We are glad to see you!