SUKHUM, November 17. /TASS/. Abkhazia’s opposition has proclaimed parliament as the only legitimate power body and called on lawmakers to undertake entire responsibility for the country’s present and future.

"Abkhazia’s parliament, as the only legitimate authority in the republic, must undertake entire responsibility for the present and future of Abkhazia’s statehood," the coordination council for the overcoming of the political crisis, which unites opposition organizations, said in a statement.

According to the opposition, "the voice of parliament is not heard in society" today. "We call on each lawmaker, a people’s deputy mandated to represent the interests of Abkhazia’s citizens in relations with the power bodies, to come to their working officer in parliament and, regardless of his or her political and party affiliation, to use their forces, knowledge and authority to make the only right decision in the name of Abkhazia’s statehood," the document says.

 

Situation in Abkhazia

 

Abkhazia’s parliament was expected to consider the ratification of the agreement with Russia on the implementation of investment projects in Abkhazia by Russian legal entities, but the session was canceled after the lawmakers failed to agree upon its agenda. The opposition, meanwhile, demanded that the issue be removed from the agenda entirely.

Later, the opposition demanded President Aslan Bzhania resign. However, Bzhania refused to step down and called on people not to yield to provocations.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia had not interfered into Abkhazia’s domestic process and hoped that the situation would be settled peacefully. The ministry warned Russian nationals against trips to Abkhazia. Deputy speaker of Russia’s Federation Council, or upper house of parliament, Konstantin Kosachev, told TASS that Russia supports the constitutional order in the friendly country and stressed that Russia has never supported state coups.