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Russian president’s aide promises further Russian assistance to Abkhazia

“The key task has been fulfilled - the crisis has found a peace settlement," Surkov said

SUKHUM, June 01 /ITAR-TASS/. Russia will provide financial and military assistance to the Abkhazian people in full, Russian president’s aide Vladislav Surkov said on Sunday, commenting on the resignation of Abkhazia’s President Alexander Ankvab.

“The key task has been fulfilled - the crisis has found a peace settlement. Stability has been ensured thanks to the wisdom and responsible attitude of all participants in the negotiating process and the generous decision of Alexander Ankvab,” Abkhazia’s Apsny Press news agency quoted Surkov as saying. “All the state structures and enterprises are working. There are no obstacles for our joint work. Russia continues its cooperation with brotherly Abkhazia in all areas. We have close contacts with the acting president, with the parliament and the vitalized government.

On Saturday, Abkhazia’s parliament appointed its speaker Valery Bganba the country’s interim president and took a decision to organize early presidential elections on August 24.

On Sunday, Bganba took over as Abkhazia’s acting President after Alexander Ankvab announced his resignation and handed over the official seat of the state to him.

Earlier, leader of the Abkhazian opposition and member of the national parliament Raul Khadzhimba said that in formal terms Ankvab could run for president at the snap presidential elections scheduled for August 24.

Surkov paid a working visit to Abkhazia on May 28-29 to “discuss the implementation of a comprehensive plan of Abkhazia’s socio-economic development in conditions of high political tensions,” as we put it.