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Abkhazia’s security, Russians’ property rights to dominate talks in Moscow

The sides will exchange detailed views on foreign policy matters

MOSCOW, October 6 (Itar-Tass) —— Abkhazia’s security and Russian citizens’ property rights in that country will dominate the agenda of the talks between President Dmitry Medvedev and Abkhazian leader Alexander Ankvab in Moscow on Thursday, October 6.

This is the first visit by Abkhazia’s third president to Russia after his election. Ankvab, 58, is making his first foreign trip 10 days after his inauguration in Sukhum where Federation Council Chairman Valentina Matviyenko invited him to visit Moscow.

“In the course of the visit, Medvedev and Ankvab are scheduled to meet in a narrow format and with the delegations,” a source in the Kremlin told Itar-Tass. “The heads of states will consider the concrete aspects of Russian-Abkhazian interaction, assistance to Abkhazia in the field of security, socio-economic rebuilding, coordination in the international arena. They will map out the ways of further development of bilateral regions.”

In his congratulatory message to Ankvab, Medvedev stressed that Abkhazia can count on Moscow’s help in the future. “Russia intends to continue to provide all-round support and aid to the friendly Abkhazian people in the field of state development and in the implementation of socio-economic projects,” the president said.

“The crucial priority is to ensure reliable security for Abkahzia. In this context, the parties will discuss practical implementation of the agreements on joint efforts in protecting Abkhazia's state border and the unified Russian military base in the territory of the republic of Abkhazia,” the Kremlin said.

The parties are expected to discuss the restoration of Russian citizens' property rights in Abkhazia. The two countries have set up a special commission to ensure legitimate resolution of these issues.

The sides will exchange detailed views on foreign policy matters. “Russia welcomes the process of the strengthening of Abkhazia's international positions. Our countries cooperate closely and productively within the framework of the Geneva discussions on stability and security in Transcaucasia,” the source said.

“In the course of the visit, it is planned to sign a number of bilateral documents, such as an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the protection and rational use of cross-border water basins. As of today, the legislative basis of our relations comprises more than 60 agreements of various levels, and another 30 are in the works,” the Kremlin said.

It stressed, “bilateral cooperation in the socio-economic sphere has positive dynamics. In the period since the establishment of inter-state relations (September 2008), trade turnover has doubled to more than 225 million dollars. The complex plan for assistance to Abkhazia's socio-economic development in 2010-2012 is being implemented successfully. The plan includes large projects, such as the establishment of a transport and logistics centre to speed up cargo transportation, building facilities in the town of Sochi, developing a tourism-recreation zone in Abkhazia and rebuilding the facilities of the socio-culture sphere, public utilities, administrative buildings and other infrastructure facilities.”

“The new president of Abkhazia has confirmed his commitment to further strengthening of strategic and allied relations with Russia in full conformity with the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance and other inter-state documents,” the Russian official said.

On his visit to Moscow, the Abkhazian president will be accompanied by Deputy Presidential Chief of Staff Vyacheslav Chirikba, acting Vice Prime Minister and Finance Minister Beslan Kubrava, State Security Service chief Aslan Bzhania, acting Health Minister Zurab Marshan, acting Head of the Committee on Ecology and Use of Natural Resources Roman Dbar, acting Head of the State Archival Department Roman Gvindzhia, and Head of the Department of Information and Mass Media Kristian Bzhania.