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Abkhazia, S Ossetia celebrate anniversary of independence recognition

The 26th of August is announced a state holiday. It features exhibitions, concerts, round tables, youth actions, sports events

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, August 26 (Itar-Tass) — Abkhazia and South Ossetia celebrate as a national holiday the anniversary of the republic’s recognition of independence by Russia.

On august 26, 2008, Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev signed an order on recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The decision was met by public exultation in the both republics and by gratitude towards Russia’s leaders.

The 26th of August is announced a state holiday. It features exhibitions, concerts, round tables, youth actions, sports events.

The past years “were filled with active work both in home and foreign policies,” Abkhazia’s President Alexander Ankvab said on Saturday. He said that following the independence recognition came a big interstate agreement, “which became basis of legal relations with Russia and a series of most important agreements, which opened qualitatively new opportunities for the close cooperation in various spheres.” Abkhazia’s president evaluated highly future of relations with Moscow. “The character, level and quality of cooperation between the sides give full reason for confidence in most prosperous future,” Ankvab said.

In South Ossetia, Chairman of the parliament Stanislav Kochev addressed the nation with a greeting, where he called the 26th of August “a symbol of inviolable trust in victory for the just case.” During a recent visit of Dmitry Medvedev to Tskhinval, the republic’s President Leonid Tibilov thanked the Russian side “for the freedom, for recognition of independence,” as well as for the assistance it provides in development of the republic. “It was a complicated decision /on beginning the operation on forcing Georgia to peace/ as after that mission the entire West looked at Russia with different eyes,” Tibilov said then.

Before the events of August of 2008, Abkhazia and South Ossetia organised several referendums, where the absolute majority spoke for independence of the republics.

Besides the Russian Federation, Abkhazia’s and South Ossetia’s independence were recognised by Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru and Tuvalu. The Republic of Vanuatu established diplomatic relations with Abkhazia.

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