Sixteen years ago, the leadership of the Russian Federation made a fateful decision regarding our country. A decision that was predetermined by the centuries-old struggle of the people of Abkhazia for freedom and independence. On August 26, 2008, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree recognizing the Republic of Abkhazia as a sovereign and independent state.

August 26, 2008 gave impetus to the establishment of our state in the world, its development and further recognition by other countries. The decision of the Russian Federation to recognize the state independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of South Ossetia was dictated by the protection of the peoples of Abkhazia and South Ossetia through implementation by them of the inalienable and internationally recognized right of peoples to self-determination.

I would like to note that soon after Russia recognized the Republic of Abkhazia as a sovereign and independent state, its example was followed by other UN member states, with whom we have official interstate relations today. Treaties, international agreements, and other political and legal documents concluded and implemented over this relatively short period of time have provided a significant boost to the process of political and economic revival of Abkhazia, strengthening its security, and restoring a full-fledged cultural, educational, and information space between our states.

Over this period, interstate Abkhazian-Russian relations have reached the level of alliance. We are allies. Our relations are developing in a variety of areas: security, socio-economic, humanitarian, and others. Russia helps us to ensure military security, the 7th Russian military base is located in Abkhazia. The Republic of Abkhazia as an ally supports Russia, especially during the Special Military Operation and events before the SVO.

Returning to the date of August 26, I will repeat that this day has a fateful meaning for our people, for future generations.

Thousands of brave sons and daughters of Abkhazia, our foreign compatriots, valiant volunteers from the North Caucasus, Moscow and St. Petersburg, many cities, regions and areas of Russia laid down their lives for sacred freedom. With their feat, they forever paved the way to independence. August 26, 2008 became a triumph of historical justice for our people.