SIRIUS /Federal Territory/, March 5. /TASS/. Abkhazia sees its future in a Union State with Russia and Belarus, Abkhazian Foreign Minister Inal Ardzinba said.

One of the key tasks today is the Belarusian project. Although we have no diplomatic relations with Belarus so far, the heads of state have exchanged visits," he said during a discussion on the topic of Russia in the current international environment as part of the World Youth Festival.

"We understand that a path to a Union State is quite long and difficult, but a large part of our population supports such an approach," he stressed. "That is why we will be seeking this."

"As for Belarus, we are now building the basis. We maintain trade and economic relations, investment cooperation, active development is beginning," he said.

"We see our future in this - in strengthening union with Russia and in our striving for a Union State," Ardzinba said and thanked Russia for supporting his country. "Our people appreciates this. And, I think, the results of voting at Russian presidential election in Abkhazia will give a clear picture that you people know what thanks and gratitude are," he added.

The top Abkhazian diplomat also said that his country plans to invigorate humanitarian assistance to and information support for Donbass. "We hope that we will be able to go to Donbass soon to support our brothers and friends. As a country, we support the special military operation, we support fair international relations, and we support [Russian President] Vladimir Putin," he stressed.

According to Ardzinba, the majority of Abkhazia’s population "support the special military operation because they pin their hopes on forming a fairer world order, on respecting nations’ rights, their specifics and history, regardless of their political or economic might."

"Our people and government believe that although having a geographically local nature, the special military operation has global mission, including from the point of view of integration processes in the post-Soviet space, which are very important for our country," he added.

More than 250 tons of humanitarian aid have been sent to the zone of the special military operation in the past two years.

The World Youth Festival is taking place in the Sirius Federal Territory in far southern Russia on March 1-7, 2024. More than 300,000 people from 190 countries have applied to take part. Participants in the festival’s regional program will visit 30 Russian cities on March 10-17. TASS is the event’s general information partner.