SUKHUM, November 17. /TASS/. The actions of those who wanted to stage a coup in Abkhazia can have an adverse effect on relations with Russia, Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania said.

"The actions of those who wanted to stage a state coup will not improve relations with Russia. Let us recall what prompted them. Russia is our only strategic partner and we should not forget about the assistance it is offering us. The protesters gathered for a rally, which splashed out into mass riots, with Russian flags and this is hypocrisy," he told the Apsnypress news agency.

"Abkhazia should rely on the union with Russia and build its own state," he emphasized. "It will be very difficult for us without Russia’s support and a high level of trust. We must maintain peace in the region. We have no peace treaty with Georgia, we have a lot of problems and we will address them with Russia’s support. So, what is happening now is hampering our relations and this is inadmissible."

 

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.