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Abkhazia is interested in participation in Russia-Belarus union — president

Speaking about political changes in the world, Aslan Bzhania noted that in the future "there will be a multipolar and more just world, and at the same time there should be regional unions"

SUKHUM, February 21. /TASS/. Abkhazia is interested in participating in the Union State of Russia and Belarus while maintaining its independence, but work in this direction may take up to 10 years, the President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, said in an interview with TASS.

"The Union State is a format in which independent states agree on mutually beneficial terms on the creation of supranational structures. We are ready for this, but we need to go through a certain stage, regulations must be prepared, and this story may take about 5-10 years, just like the story related to the recognition of Abkhazia's independence by Russia," the president said.

Bzhania noted that "first of all, he is guided by the documents signed between Abkhazia and Russia." "The last interstate agreement [on alliance and strategic partnership] was signed on November 24, 2014, and it clearly states that Russia is assisting the Republic of Abkhazia in participating in integration processes initiated by the Russian Federation. This form most fully corresponds to our future, our vision of the future. We want to be together with Russia and Belarus, we want to be active participants in this integration process while preserving our independence," the president said.

Speaking about political changes in the world, Bzhania noted that in the future "there will be a multipolar and more just world, and at the same time there should be regional unions." "This union (of Russia, Belarus and Abkhazia - TASS) is beneficial to the people of Russia, the people of Belarus, and, of course, the people of Abkhazia. It will allow us to preserve our identity and culture, on the one hand, and on the other hand, its development. I think that working towards such an alliance is the right vector for the development of our relations," he added.

"Our independence has been paid a high price, and we do not want to become a state that has lost this status. We want to be a state that can participate in integration processes together with states such as Russia and Belarus, and those who want to join such an alliance," the president concluded.

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