On February 10, 2019, Oleg Bartsits, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia, participated via videoconference in a meeting of the reporting board of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, dedicated to Diplomatic Service Employee Day of Pridnestrovie.

Opening Remarks by Oleg Bartsits, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia

Good afternoon, dear colleagues, dear friends. First of all, I would like to welcome the highly respected Vadim Nikolaevich Krasnoselsky, President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, and my esteemed colleague, Vitaly Viktorovich Ignatiev.Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.

I would like to take this opportunity to warmly congratulate the entire staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the friendly and fraternal state of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic on Diplomatic Service Employee Day.

I wish you great success in your diplomatic endeavors, good health, happiness, and confidence in the future. Happy holiday, dear colleagues, dear friends!

I am also pleased to see among the participants of the reporting board today my esteemed friend and colleague, Akhsar Muratovich Dzhoev, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia.

Today, relations between the Republic of Abkhazia and the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic are intense, systematic, and stable.

Despite all the difficulties, which my esteemed colleague Vitaly Viktorovich has just so vividly and succinctly described, this cooperation continues intensively, even under challenging conditions. I am deeply satisfied with the work of our diplomatic agencies and our diplomatic missions.

I would like to speak here about the difficult work and dedicated work of Alexander Vladimirovich Vataman, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Abkhazia to the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, and the efforts of our esteemed Garry Sergeyevich Kupalba, Head of the Official Representation of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic to the Republic of Abkhazia. My gratitude to these courageous, professional, and responsible diplomats.

Today, cooperation between the Republic of Abkhazia and the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic is based on a number of documents that create the legal and contractual framework. First and foremost, this is an interstate agreement. I would like to particularly note that the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation of January 22, 1993 was the first international treaty in the modern history of the Republic of Abkhazia.

Today, our cooperation is based on the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Partnership of September 29, 2017, as well as the Agreement on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation of December 22, 2006. In addition, there are other agreements and treaties. This is a serious, solid legal framework. Three intergovernmental agreements: The Agreement on Mutual Visa-Free Travel for Citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia and Citizens of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic of October 25, 2016; the Agreement on Mutual Recognition and Equivalence of Documents on the Level of Education and/or Qualifications, Academic Degrees and Titles, and Academic Transcripts of October 25, 2016; and the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Emergency Prevention and Elimination of July 4, 2018. In addition, there are approximately 30 other various interdepartmental documents, including protocols and memoranda. In addition, there are also three inter-municipal agreements between our municipal associations and municipal bodies.
I believe that this legal framework is sufficient to enable, even in these challenging and sometimes dramatic circumstances, full-fledged, large-scale cooperation based on mutual respect and an understanding of shared goals and objectives.

Cooperation between our republics in 2025, as I have already said, was systematic and planned. This is despite all the difficulties that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, Vitaly Viktorovich Ignatiev, just described—logistical difficulties, the de facto blockade, and discriminatory measures taken by the Republic of Moldova, completely ignored by Western and European institutions. Furthermore, there are a number of other restrictions, and even in these challenging circumstances, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic carries out its activities and contacts with the outside world at the highest level. We pay due respect to these efforts and congratulate our Transnistrian colleagues on their level of professionalism and dedication.
Of course, we have plans for 2026. There are certain agreements regarding cooperation between municipalities, cities, and towns. Furthermore, there is a certain format, already established, for interactions between our republican media outlets. Representatives of the Public Chambers of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic are actively collaborating online.

I believe that the unity of the people, the population of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, with its leadership and government bodies is a crucial factor in achieving of all the goals and objectives that the state has set for itself.

Of course, I also want to note the important role of the alliance and strategic partnership with the Russian Federation. This is the main guarantee of security and success in foreign policy. We in Abkhazia are well aware of the importance and vitality of cooperation with a great power, our strategic partner, ally, and friend, the Russian Federation.

I view my invitation to participate in the reporting board meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic as a very significant step in interagency cooperation. I am confident that this will contribute to the further comprehensive development of relations between the Republic of Abkhazia and the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.

In conclusion, dear colleagues and friends, allow me to wish the fraternal Transnistrian people, the leadership of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, our esteemed colleagues, and the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, headed by Minister Vitaly Viktorovich Ignatiev, good health, success in all projects planned and underway, prosperity, peace, and full cooperation between our countries. Thank you. Once again, happy holiday. Thank you.