We wish you all much health, happiness and success

in the new year.

kapba.de         

Sukhum, The Parliament passed in the final reading the 2010 State budget of Abkhazia. The next year’s budget will be deficit-free and amount RUB 3,875 bn in revenues and expenditures.

This year’s last session of the Parliament chaired by Vice Speaker Vyacheslav Tsugba was attended by the Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab, members of the Government.

The country’s draft basic financial document was presented by the Vice PM, the Finance Minister Beslan Kubrava.

He said that own income of Abkhazia in the revenue part of the budget would amount RUB 1,935 bn by RUB 382,4 mln more than in 2009. Thereby the growth of own income will amount 24, 6 %. As to financial aid from the outside for 2010 (planned volume of RUB 1,935 bn) it is reduced by RUB 381, 2 mln in comparison with the passing year.

In the structure of the budget’s own income, tax revenues amount RUB 1, 321 bn (68 %); non tax income – RUB 614, 9 mln (32 %).

In 2010 RUB 1, 244 bn are planned for the national economy financing (including RUB 325, 7 mln for repair work, RUB 32, 6 mln for agriculture restoration and development, RUB 150, 4 mln for accomplishment of districts and the city of Sukhum and repair of local roads, RUB 3 mln for timber industry development).

RUB 716, 6 mln will be allocated for investment projects.

RUB 803, 5 mln are planned to be spent on social and cultural sphere, RUB 393 mln of them will fall on education; RUB 72, 2 mln on culture and art, RUB 216 mln on health care, RUB 45, 8 mln on physical training, sports and work with youth, RUB 76, 6 mln on social security.

“A big share of the budget’s expenditure part is renumeration RUB 1, 1 bn. It is necessary to pay out up to RUB 100 mln monthly to government-financed organizations”, Kubrava specified. ‘There have been no delays this year, the December salary has been already paid out for today. We are determined to avoid problems in the future”.

Allocations for science in the state budget amount RUB 62, 1 mln; RUB 47, 7 mln for mass-media support, RUB 22, 9 mln of which on the Abkhaz State TV and Radio company financing.

RUB 68, 9 mln are provided for bodies of state power financing (including RUB 43, 1 mln for the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Abkhazia, RUB 264 mln for the People’s Assembly, RUB 1, 8 mln for the Security Council Office); RUB 275, 8 mln for bodies of state government; RUB 814, 2 mln for law enforcement bodies, courts and public prosecutor’s office.

The Chairman of the Committee on Budget, Lending Agencies, Tax and Finance Zaur Adleiba called MPs to second the draft budget and to pass it in the second, final reading.

The President’s Representative to the Parliament Dmitry Shamba said that the 2010 budget differed strikingly from the previous ones. “The budget characteristic has changed. If earlier it contained only operational expenditure, this budget is a budget of development implying investment projects as well. The budget is balanced, deficit-free and socially focused”, Shamba said.

MPs voted unanimously for the proposed 2010 draft State budget.

According to the Vice Speaker Vyacheslav Tsugba, “it has become a good tradition of the Abkhaz MPs to celebrate New Year with the state budget passed”.

Tsugba congratulated all on the coming holidays, wished peace and success.

After the National anthem has sounded the Vice Speaker declared the Parliament’s fall session closed.

12.29.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Moscow, Abkhazia hopes for further support in its foreign policy from the Russian Foreign Ministry, Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba stated on Thursday.

"The factor of such permanent consultations which are taking place, is very important to us. It is not the first time that we meet with the Russian foreign minister, sign agreements and consults over issues.

"It is important for Abkhazia that Sergei Lavrov has made two official visits to the country this year. It is also an indicator of how our relations are developing," Shamba said.

He noted that the two countries plan to hold permanent consultations starting next year.

"The issues stated in the memorandum are implemented successfully, the tasks are being fulfilled, and relations are developing intensively. The Russian diplomacy is providing comprehensive support to us in various parts of the world where we try to establish contracts. In some cases, these efforts have not been without success.

For the first time, Abkhazia walked through the boundaries of its region in its foreign policy.

"At present, Abkhazia is pursing foreign policy in Latin America, the Pacific region and the Middle East rather actively, with Russian diplomats' support.

"Our small country would have been impossible to accomplish it, without the support Russia is providing in line with the memorandum. But we believe there's considerable success in these issues. Latin America very often treats the Abkhazia problem with understanding, and there is an opportunity to make direct contacts with the leadership of these countries. We see sympathy, understanding and support," the Abkhazian foreign minister said.

12.24.2009  Itar-Tass

Minsk, Russia is not pressuring Belarus to recognize the independence of the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surikov said on Wednesday.

"We are not promoting the theme of recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia, because we understand that a country must act on its own interests in recognizing the independence of another state," Surikov said.

The two republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia formally requested that Belarus recognize them a year ago, but Minsk has delayed its decision, torn between traditional ally Russia and the EU, which backs Georgia's claim to sovereignty over the republics.

"We have never set any direct or indirect demands, and we have set no demands at all to the Belarusian side on the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia," Surikov said.

The Belarusian parliament earlier delayed hearings on recognizing the republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia until spring 2010.

Russia recognized the republics in August 2008 after repelling Georgia's assault on South Ossetia in a five-day war. Only Nicaragua, Venezuela and the tiny Pacific island state of Nauru have followed suit.

12.23.2009  RIA Novosti

Sukhum, “Starting from 2010 the state veterinary service of Abkhazia introduces new requirements to applications from economic entities. It is connected with the requirements of the Russian Federation to cargoes subject to veterinary control”, the veterinary service chief Eric Anshba said.

A seminar dedicated to “Argus” automated system containing information on the procedure of submitting applications for import to the Russian Federation and export from the Russian Federation as well as transit over its territory of animals, animal produce, medications, fodders and fodder additives for animals, under quarantine production on December 15-16 in Moscow in the All-Russia Scientific Research Institute of Animal Protection.

“The purpose of the training is automation of process of input, analysis and distribution of permission and bans for import in the Russian Federation as well as export and transit of animals, animal produce and under control cargoes”, Anshba explained.

The State Veterinary Service asks enterprises to turn to it for rendering assistance in submitting applications for planned import and export of animal produce in 2010.

12.21.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, The Government of Abkhazia sent three tons of tangerine to Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria as a New Year present to the families of volunteers lost during the 1992-1993 Patriotic War of the Abkhaz nation.

This action is annual.

12.21.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Monument to General Hasan Harazia opened in Sukhum

Sukhum, The grand opening of a monument at the tomb of General-Lieutenant Hasan Harazia took place in the public garden near the Abkhaz State philharmonic society. The opening ceremony was attended by the President Sergey Bagapsh, the elected Vice President Alexander Ankvab, Vice PM Leonid Lakerbaya, members of the Government, the Defense Ministry and public representatives, Hassan Harazia’s relatives.

During the Great Patriotic War H. L. Harazia was a commander of a regiment, a brigade, a division. He participated in battles near Moscow, Stalingrad, in South Karelia, in liberation of Hungary, Austria and Czechoslovakia from fascists. Throughout the war Hassan Lagustanovich Harazia has served in different combat arms: in cavalry, in mechanized, rifle and airborne units and formations.

“The Abkhaz people will never forget the feat of arms of Hassan Harazia – a glorious son of Abkhazia, a great military leader who has glorified his nation during the Great Patriotic War. The opening of this monument in the centre of Sukhum testifies it”, Sukhum mayor Alias Labakhua said.

Labakhua said that for shown bravery and courage, for skilful and talented leadership in numerous operations against fascist aggressors, Hassan Harazia was highly appreciated by the USSR Government. He was awarded with 25 orders and medals, including Order of Lenin, four Orders of the Red Banner, Orders of the Red Star, Patriotic War of I class, Suvorov of III class, etc.

Georgy Harazia, Hassan Harazia’s grandson, thanked the republic’s leadership and the sculpture’s author Vitaly Dzhenia: “It is very pleasant for me that a monument to my grandfather has been opened today in the capital’s centre. I express profound gratitude to the Abkhaz people which I represent”.

12.18.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Minsk, Belarus Parliament slept the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia’s independence over spring, Sergey Maskevich, Chairman of the International Affairs and CIS Relations Commission of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus. According to him, MPs executed extensive work in exploring the last year’s request from Abkhazia and South Ossetia to recognize their independence.

Maskevich underlined there is a split in the working group over the issue who visited Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Georgia.

“Today the autumn session closes and the Abkhazian and South Ossetian issues are not on agenda,” he said, adding that he stands pat on the matter, but he prefers not to disclose it.

12.18.2009  Noviye Izvestiya

 Monument to General Hassan Harazia opened in Sukhum

Sukhum, The grand opening of a monument at the tomb of General-Lieutenant Hassan Harazia took place in the public garden near the Abkhaz State philharmonic society. The opening ceremony was attended by the President Sergey Bagapsh, the elected Vice President Alexander Ankvab, Vice PM Leonid Lakerbaya, members of the Government, the Defense Ministry and public representatives, Hassan Harazia’s relatives.

During the Great Patriotic War H. L. Harazia was a commander of a regiment, a brigade, a division. He participated in battles near Moscow, Stalingrad, in South Karelia, in liberation of Hungary, Austria and Czechoslovakia from fascists. Throughout the war Hassan Lagustanovich Harazia has served in different combat arms: in cavalry, in mechanized, rifle and airborne units and formations.

“The Abkhaz people will never forget the feat of arms of Hassan Harazia – a glorious son of Abkhazia, a great military leader who has glorified his nation during the Great Patriotic War. The opening of this monument in the centre of Sukhum testifies it”, Sukhum mayor Alias Labakhua said.

Labakhua said that for shown bravery and courage, for skilful and talented leadership in numerous operations against fascist aggressors, Hassan Harazia was highly appreciated by the USSR Government. He was awarded with 25 orders and medals, including Order of Lenin, four Orders of the Red Banner, Orders of the Red Star, Patriotic War of I class, Suvorov of III class, etc.

Georgy Harazia, Hassan Harazia’s grandson, thanked the republic’s leadership and the sculpture’s author Vitaly Dzhenia: “It is very pleasant for me that a monument to my grandfather has been opened today in the capital’s centre. I express profound gratitude to the Abkhaz people which I represent”.

12.18.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Statement from the press-service of the ministry for foreign affairs of the republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, A meeting with the Minister Sergey Shamba and the "Rossotrudnichestvo" head Farit Mukhametshin, the Russia’s Ambassador to Abkhazia Semyon Grigoriev and the Charge d' Affaires of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Abkhazia Vladimir Bogolyubov took place in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia.

During the meeting it was a question of opening of the “Rossotrudnichestvo" Federal Agency on the CIS, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation representative office in Sukhum. The head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs expressed hope that opening of the representative office will give new possibilities for bilateral ties.

“The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Russia renders great assistance in support to our diplomatic personnel, giving quotas in MGIMO”, Shamba said. “Our employees go on trainings to the Diplomatic Academy. This is a rebirth of old traditions interrupted after the collapse of the Soviet Union”.

At the same time, according to Shamba, Abkhazia did feel support from the part of Russia after the USSR collapse, but now it becomes system and irreversible. “The young state faces big and complicated challenges. We started the most difficult thing– creation of a state, and a lot of problems are new for us. But, thanks God, we overcome all the difficulties supported by the Russian Federation and its leadership”, Shamba said.

The head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs said there were many active non-governmental organizations in Abkhazia working basically on western funds’ grunts and doing a useful job. “We have waited for a long time for a Russian organizations to begin cooperating with us. As far as I understand, your organization will develop exactly this direction”, the Minister said.

The "Rossotrudnichestvo" head Farit Mukhametshin said that the organization he heads is only one year old and it develops the activity abroad too.

“Today our representative offices work in 72 countries, in 53 countries there are large centers with many employees. By approbation of the Abkhazia’s leadership we intend to start working actively here”, Mukhametshin said. According to him, a Russian centre for science and culture is planned to be opened in Abkhazia. As to the representative office it starts its active work already today. “It is headed by the Russia’s Embassy to Abkhazia advisor Alexander Vaulin who headed the same centre in Indonesia”, Mukhametshin said. “We are not going to substitute the Russian Embassy. Our centre works under the Ambassador’s direction who approves our centre’s concept. And the representative office is headed by the Embassy’s adviser on humanitarian questions.

12.18.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

For the first time the Defense Ministry admitted journalists to the Russian military base in Abkhazia. They had started to equip it with all necessary facilities last fall. It is already manned, equipped with military equipment.

The planned combat training is in progress in the 7th military base of the Russian Army. On the range near the city of Gudauta it is always noisy from the crackle of gun-fire, shooting takes place almost every day.

Modern Russian “T-90” tanks are the basic striking force. “Grad” multiple rocket launcher is a powerful tool of fire destruction. There are the best models of domestic equipment and individual arming of new generation on the base in Abkhazia.

"Modern uniform: a very comfortable helmet, a light radio station, earlier there were heavy ones. It has a headset, there’s no need to take anything anywhere and unhook ", Ivan Mordvinov a Russia army private explains.

Soldiers wear helmets of aramid fiber with high degree of protection and bulletproof body armors of little weight. Military men in Abkhazia are equipped the way the entire Russian army will look like in several years.

"The 7th military base fulfilled all planned combat training activities in 2009 practically to the full. The process of manning is finished for today. The crew has arrived completely in the territory of the Republic of Abkhazia", Sergey Tchebotaryov, the commander of the Russia’s military base in Abkhazia reported.

There are about 1500 our soldiers on the base; they live in field conditions. The main signs of everyday civilization are water supply system and electricity. Houses for officers and private soldiers are under construction already, many people have brought their families, there is even a children's playground. A club and a movie theatre are planned to be built. In a year or two the base will turn into a large military camp on the Black sea coast, wherefrom even the Turkish coast is visible in good weather.

Slightly more than a year has passed since the moment when regular units of the Russian army entered Abkhazia and replaced the peace-keeping mission. The military base is being equipped with necessary facilities till now, there are few capital buildings here, basically tent military camps, but it is temporarily. The main thing is that Russia is present in this region on the permanent basis.

12.18.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 ICRC mission in Abkhazia launches program of psychosocial support to families of missing in action

A meeting with the International Committee of the Red Cross Mission representatives and the leadership of the “Mothers for peace and social justice” Movement took place on the threshold of New Year, Madonna Kvitsiniya, the information department of Sukhum Administration chief said.

“We launch a program of psychosocial support to the families of the missing in action”, the Mission’s head Ariane de Robiene said. “Cooperation with the Mothers Movement is very important for us. Together we can render necessary assistance to the families that really need it. The Mission highly appreciates cooperation with you. The program has already started. We have conducted a seminar, now serious scrupulous work is to follow …”

“Social support to the victims’ families is a complicated and at the same time delicate problem. People must know that war victims are not buried in oblivion, that they are not alone, many people support them, want to help. Therefore we will render moral and psychological support”, Mission’s coordinator Hatuna Logua believes.

The Mothers Movement Chairman Babble Kichba thanked ICRC for cooperation. In particular, she said: “The missing persons are our pain. And, of course, we are ready to work with you, find those who need psychological and other kinds of support. Participation in the seminar conducted by the Mission was also very useful for us. I hope that our work will help victims’ families”.

The guests congratulated the Mothers Movement representative with the coming New Year, wished them peace, health, success and presented valuable presents.

12.17.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Minsk, Belarusian parliamentarians have prepared a complete report on a trip to Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia to assess the situation in those countries, BelTA learnt from the press service of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus.

The report will be submitted to the two chambers of the Belarusian parliament: to the House of Representatives’ permanent commission on international affairs and links with the CIS and the Council of the Republic’s permanent commission on the international affairs and national security.

The decision was taken during a session of a task group in the House of Representatives on 16 December. The task group was set up to prepare the issue of Abkhazia and South Ossetia sovereignty for the consideration in the National Assembly of Belarus. The heads of the parliamentary delegations that visited Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia as well as Russia (in order to assess the situation in these regions) have presented their reports on the visits.

A delegation of Belarusian MPs consisting of eight deputies of the House of Representatives and four senators of the Council of the Republic was on a visit to Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia on 17-20 November. The aim of the visit was to study the political and economic situation onsite for the Belarusian parliament to continue the discussion on recognition or non-recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

12.16.2009  BelTA

A report launched late Wednesday by an Ankara-based think tank highlighted the need for engagement policies toward Abkhazia.

“The aim of this report is to question isolation policy and promote engagement by looking to the region as an economic entity,” said Burcu Gültekin Punsmann, the lead author of the report “Abkhazia for the Integration of the Black Sea,” which was drafted by the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey, or TEPAV.

Economic sanctions are policy tools used by governments to constrain business activity across borders with intended policy outcomes, according to the report, which underlined that cooperation was the key factor in ensuring success.

“Maximum amount of harm was inflicted on the population of Abkhazia during the period of the Russian Federation’s full cooperation with the embargo decision. Attempts of Turkish businessmen from the Black Sea coast to infringe the sanctions, either guided by profit or moral concerns, could bring a relative degree of relief,” it read.

In 1996, Abkhazia was virtually cut off from the outside world. The dire situation of the war-ruined economy was further exacerbated by the Russian-Georgian maritime and land blockade, which caused economic and social disruption.

Turkey responded positively to the call to impose economic sanctions on Abkhazia and canceled direct cruises between the ports of Trabzon and Sukhum in 1996. Today, the maritime link between Turkey and Abkhazia is officially closed. Turkey is justifying its compliance with the isolation regime as respect for the territorial integrity of Georgia.

“Turkey can become an important actor to end the isolation of Abkhazia,” said Punsmann, stressing the fact that Turkey was as important for Abkhazia as Russia in terms of foreign economic relations.

“It is time for both the Turkish and Georgian governments to find practical ways to open up to Abkhazia and promote more active, more pro-engagement policy toward Abkhazia,” she said.

Abkhazia, a political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea whose status is disputed, declared independence in the wake of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, but is recognized only by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru and by South Ossetia and Transnistria, whose statuses are also disputed. Georgia considers Abkhazia to be part of its own territory.

“We have no other choice but re-integration,” said Güven Sak, managing director of TEPAV. He underlined TEPAV was not taking a position toward political problems, but instead offering economic opportunities that could prepare the ground for a settlement to political disputes at the end of the day.

12.16.2009  Hürriyet Daily News

Sukhum, Nauru, the world's smallest island state, has recognized the independence of the republic of Abkhazia, with both countries signing an agreement on Tuesday on establishing diplomatic relations.

Nauru is the fourth country to recognize Abkhazia's independence, joining Russia, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

The signing ceremony was held in the building of the Abkhaz presidential administration. The document was signed by Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba and his Nauru counterpart Kieren Keke.

"We hope that the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries will help establish stability and peace. I hope that other countries will follow our example and will also recognize the independence of Abkhazia," Keke told reporters after the signing ceremony.

Abkhazia held on Saturday its first presidential election since Russia recognized its independence in August 2008 after a brief war with Georgia. Incumbent President Sergei Bagapsh was re-elected for another term with over 60% of the vote.

The Abkhaz leader hailed the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"The size of a state and the size of its population have no significance. Nauru is a UN member state. We in Abkhazia are signing for the first time an agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations on factual recognition," Bagapsh said, adding that the process of the recognition of the republic of Abkhazia would continue.

Nauru, an island in the South Pacific Ocean surrounded by a coral reef, is the world's only country with no capital. It has a population of about 15,000 people and became a member of the United Nations in 1999.

12.15.2009  RIA Novosti

 Nobody included the Polish journalist Pavel Rezhka against his will into the Mission of international observers at Abkhazia’s presidential elections

Sukhum, Nobody included the Polish journalist Pavel Rezhka against his will into the Mission of international observers at Abkhazia’s presidential elections and forced to sign the final statement. “We are grateful to the Polish journalist Pavel Rezhka who has arrived in Abkhazia as a part of the Mission of international observers at the republic’s presidential elections. However, it’s not clear why he has agreed to go with the Mission if he didn’t intend to work with it. After all nothing could prevent him from arriving in Abkhazia on his own and covering the elections as the rest of journalists representing 34 mass-media from different countries of the world did”, the Central Election Commission Chairman Batal Tabagua said, commenting on P. Rezhka's statement that he had nothing to do with the final statement of the Mission of international observers at Abkhazia’s presidential elections.

Upon arriving in Abkhazia P.Rezhka, as well as all other Mission’s participants, received an observer ticket in the CEC of the Republic of Abkhazia.

“Besides, if he disagreed categorically with the Mission’s conclusion he could state his separate opinion in the International press centre where the Mission’s final statement was read out. For some reason Mr. Reshka didn’t do it”, Tabagua emphasized.

According to the Central Election Commission Chairman, Rezhka in a telephone conversation with him said that he objected to his surname appearing among those who have signed the Mission of international observers’s statement. “We complied with his request, and his name was excluded from the list of those who have signed it”, Tabagua said.

Presenting the Mission of foreign observers’ final statement its head also read out the list of its participants, however there was no P. Rezhka's signature to the document.

“In “Apsnypresss” we have accredited 66 foreign journalists who have arrived in Abkhazia to cover the election campaign, but there was no Pavel Rezhka among them. We refused no journalist who wanted to arrive at the elections in Abkhazia. We could accredit the Polish journalist Pavel Rezhka equally well, but he didn’t turn neither to us, nor to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia”, Manana Gurgulia the director for Apsnypress news agency specified.

“Certainly, he is free to have his opinion regarding the December 12 elections and the course of observation of them in Abkhazia, but he has no grounds to say that he has been included without his permission into the Mission, hasn’t been allowed anywhere or has been forced to sign the Mission’s conclusion”, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Abkhazia Batal Tabagua ascertained.

12.15.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

12.14.2009  UNPO

Abkhazia marks the 17th anniversary of the dreadful Lata tragedy.

This day, on December 14, 1992, the Georgian troops brought down a helicopter over a mountain village of Lata with refugees from Tkuarchal blocked by occupation troops.

81 people, 35 children and 8 pregnant women among them were lost in a blink.

This day Abkhazia prays all killed children.

December, 1992 was one of the most complicated months of the Patriotic War of the Abkhaz nation.

There was no light, heat, products in the home front of warring Abkhazia.

The miner's city of Tkuarchal suffered the hardest fate. The city was blocked by the Georgian occupation troops. The population died of cold, bombing and hunger.

Aviation was the only means of connection to the outer world. Russian helicopters carried out humanitarian flights. On the way back they took refugees, first of all, women and children.

It was so on December 14, 1992 too when the flight coming back from Tkuarchal to Gudauta was cram-full with people.

But over the village of Lata a “Surface to Air” missile shot at the helicopter from the coast occupied by the enemy interrupted the flight and people’s lives.

The president called the citizens of Abkhazia to always remember those tragical days of war when freedom of our Abkhazia was won.

12.14.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Sergey Bagapsh on his re-election as President of the Republic of Abkhazia.

President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev congratulated Sergey Bagapsh on his re-election as President of the Republic of Abkhazia.

“Dear Sergey Vasilevich!

I cordially congratulate you on re-election as President of the Republic of Abkhazia.

“That Abkhaz voters have placed their confidence in you shows that they support the policy of building an independent, democratic and rule-of-law state, strengthening its security, and restoring its economic potential.

Russian-Abkhaz relations have received a major new boost to development today and have reached a new level.

I am sure that our tradition of mutually beneficial friendly and constructive contact and cooperation will continue to expand and develop for the good of both countries and in the interests of peace and stability in the Trans-Caucasus region.

I wish you success in service to Fatherland, and well-being and prosperity to the Abkhaz nation.”

12.14.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, Abkhazia's incumbent President Sergei Bagapsh who won Saturday's presidential elections in the republic of Abkhazia said on Sunday his inauguration would take place on February 12 next year.

Abkhazia held on Saturday its first presidential election since Russia recognized its independence in August 2008 after a brief war with Georgia. The winning candidate was required to win a majority of 50% plus one vote.

According to preliminary official results announced by the Abkhazian Central Election Commission, Bagapsh secured 59.4% of the vote, almost four times more than second-placed Raul Hajymba with 15.4%.

Shipping director Zaur Ardzynba received 10.8%, opposition leader Beslan Butba 7.9% and independent candidate Vitaly Bganba 1.5%, the Central Election Commission said.

"The entire [inauguration] procedure will be very modest, quick and without any pomp," Bagapsh said.

Sixty-year-old Bagapsh has been president of Abkhazia since January 2005. In his election campaign he pledged to focus on the development of the Abkhaz economy, improve living standards and raise wages. He also said that in its foreign policy Abkhazia would continue strengthening political and economic ties with Russia.

Abkhazia's re-elected president said Abkhazia intended to implement some large-scale economic projects with Russia, including exploration works on the seabed of the Black Sea, a project to build a gas pipeline from the Russian city of Tuapse to Sukhum and arrange railway and air communication.

12.12.2009  RIA Novosti

Sukhum, Preliminary results of the first presidential election in Abkhazia after its recognition last year will be revealed on Sunday noon, the head of the republic's Central Election Commission said.

Batal Tabagua has declared the presidential election as accomplished as 58% of voters turned to the polling stations on Saturday with the necessary threshold of 50%.

Incumbent leader Sergei Bagapsh is seeking a second term in office in the republic, which has 131,000 registered voters.

Abkhazia was recognized as an independent state by Russia in August 2008, after the Russia-Georgia war over South Ossetia. The only other countries to recognize the two republics have been Nicaragua and Venezuela.

The election has four other contenders - former vice-president Raul Hadzhimba, opposition leader Beslan Butba, shipping director Zaur Ardzynba and independent candidate Vitaly Bganba. The winning candidate must garner a majority of 50% plus one vote.

A delegation of Russian lawmakers has arrived in Abkhazia to observe the election.

12.12.2009  RIA Novosti

Moscow, Russia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) gives special attention to the Abkhazian presidential elections that will be held on December 12. Even membership of CEC delegation that will go to the republic testifies to this. “CEC head Vladimir Churov, his deputy Stanislav Vavilov, CEC members Yevgeny Kalyushin, Valery Kryukov and Siyabshakh Shapiyev will be working at the elections as observers,” secretary of the Russian CEC Nikolai Konkin told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

He explained that Shapiyev will be simultaneously watching the progress of the Abkhazian presidential elections at a polling station organised in the Cherkessia republic. Besides, CEC member Vasily Volkov will perform observer functions at a polling station for the Abkhazian presidential election set up in Moscow.

A delegation of the State Duma lower house of Russia’s parliament led by the head of the house CIS affairs committee Alexei Ostrovsky and representatives of non-governmental organisations will also go to Abkhazia to monitor the elections.

On 12 December 2009 Abkhazia will hold its fourth Presidential election since the post of President of the Republic of Abkhazia was created in 1994. Incumbent president Sergei Bagapsh is running for a second term. He competes against 4 opposition candidates: former Vice President and Prime Minister Raul Hajymba, who came second behind Bagapsh in the 2004 Presidential election, and newcomers Beslan Butba, Zaur Ardzynba and Vitali Bganba. Hajymba has stated that he, Ardzynba and Butba would support each other should one of them reach the second round of the election.

According to the Law on the Election of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia, candidates for the Presidency have to: possess Abkhazian citizenship; be of Abkhaz nationality; be fluent in the Abkhaz language; be no younger than 35 and no older than 65 years of age; be eligible to vote; have permanently lived in Abkhazia for the last five years up to the election day; have an account in a credit institution officially registered in Abkhazia.

Prospective candidates had to be nominated between 13 October and 2 November 2009. This could be done either by an interest group, which had to present a list of signatures, or by a political party registered with the Central Election Commission. The only parties registered in this way were United Abkhazia, the Forum of the National Unity of Abkhazia, the Party of the Economic Development of Abkhazia and the People’s Party. After the nomination period ended on 2 November, the Central Election Commission verified the signature lists and whether candidates satisfied the set requirements. To test the nominees' proficiency in Abkhaz, it established a language commission consisting of Aleksei Kaslandzia, Batal Khagush, Eva Tania, Adgur Skinkuba and Fatima Kvarchelia. Registration of the candidates had to be completed before 12 November and two days after their registration the Central Election Commission had to publish the list of nominees whose candidacy had been approved.

Five people were nominated for the presidency. On 5 November they successfully passed the Abkhaz language examination. Bagapsh and Hajymba were exempted from it as they had already passed a similar examination during the 2004 Presidential election, but they both volunteered to undergo it anyway. On 6 November, all five nominees were officially registered as candidates, and they received their certificates on 9 November.

Vitali Resh-ipa Bganba, doctor of Philosophy and Economics, with David Dasania as Vice Presidential candidate. Bganba was nominated by an interest group on 14 October.

Raul Jumka-ipa Hajymba, former Vice President, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, with Vasilii Avidzba as Vice Presidential candidate. Hajymba was nominated by an interest group on 19 October. On 20 October Hajymba received the additional support of the Forum of the National Unity of Abkhazia, Aruaa and Akhatsa.

Beslan Butba, businessman and former member of the People's Assembly, with former Minister of the Interior Almasbei Kchach as Vice Presidential candidate. Butba was nominated on 23 October by the Party of the Economic Development of Abkhazia, which he leads. Butba received the additional support of Iakub Lakoba, head of the People's Party and a candidate in the two previous presidential elections, and Vitali Bigvava, representative of the youth organisation Apsilaa.

Sergei Uasyl-ipa Bagapsh, incumbent President, with Prime Minister Alyksandr Zolotinska-ipa Ankvab as Vice Presidential candidate. Bagapsh was nominated on 27 October by United Abkhazia. On 18 November Bagapsh received the additional support of the Communist Party.

Zaur Ardzynba, head of the Abkhazian state shipping company, with former head of the Ochamchira District Khripsom Jopua as Vice Presidential candidate. Ardzynba was nominated by an interest group on 29 October.

One person was nominated who subsequently withdrew his nomination: Jamalik Aiba. Aiba was nominated by an interest group on 23 October. On 26 October the Central Election Commission reported that Aiba had withdrawn his nomination.

Sergei Bagapsh and Raul Hajymba already competed for the presidency in the 2004 Presidential election. That election was narrowly won by Bagapsh, but this was disputed by Hajymba and his supporters. To end the severe crisis that followed Bagapsh and Hajymba reached an agreement under which Bagapsh became President and Hajymba Vice President. The arrangement was uneasy: Hajymba's Forum of the National Unity of Abkhazia remained in opposition and Hajymba on various occasions supported the opposition's criticism of government policy.

12.10.2009  Itar-Tass

Russian patrol boats will begin guarding the maritime border of the republic of Abkhazia in December, the Russian Federal Security Service said on Wednesday.

"These patrol boats will guard the state borders and sea areas that fall under the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the republic of Abkhazia, and will also ensure that shipping rights... are protected," the statement said.

The Sobol and Mangust-class boats, belonging to the FSB border service, will operate in line with a Russian-Abkhaz agreement on border security.

The statement said the boats will be based in the Abkhaz Black Sea port of Ochamchira.

The head of the FSB's coast guard department, Col. Gen. Viktor Trufanov, has said the patrol boats will seize Georgian ships if they illegally enter Abkhaz waters.

More than 1,000 Russian border guards already serve in Abkhazia.

The 19-meter Project 12150 Mangust patrol boat, with a maximum speed of 53 Kts, is equipped with a 14.7-mm machine gun. The 28-meter long Project 12200 Sobol patrol boat is equipped with a machine gun and a gun mount, and has a maximum speed of 50 Kts.

Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, last August after a five-day war with Georgia over the latter, which was attacked by Tbilisi in an attempt to bring it back under central control.

Under mutual assistance treaties signed last November, Russia pledged to help South Ossetia and Abkhazia protect their borders, and the signatories granted each other the right to set up military bases in their respective territories.

12.09.2009  RIA Novosti

#4 polling station to vote at the Abkhaz presidential elections opened in Moscow. The polling station is located: Shabolovskaya Metro station, Donskaya street Don 18/7, bld. 1. Citizens of Abkhazia can ask all the questions regarding the elections at the polling station directly, or call (495) 982-39-34, 982-39-33. The station is open from 10:00am till 06:00pm.

A polling station was also opened in the city of Cherkessk (Karachay-Cherkessia) on Lenin Avenue, 54.

12.09.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Statement from the press-service for the Defence Ministry of the Republic of Abkhazia

Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Sergey Bagapsh met with the Armed Forces officers and employees.

The President of the Republic of Abkhazia, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Sergey Bagapsh and the Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab had a meeting with the Armed Forces officers and employees in the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Abkhazia.

The President said that for five years the republic’s budget has increased from 400 million to 2 billion rubles. “The Government will continue developing our Army further. In the course of time we will pass from the present conditions to modern social ones”, the head of the state said.

The President also said that with the lapse of time young officers will be provided with housing; new uniform will be introduced; the training system for military specialists will be developing; new barracks are planned to be built in one of the military camps.

The meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere.

12.09.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

The head physician of the Sukhum children polyclinic Sirush Oganesyan believes that the rumors spread among people that the “Grippol” vaccine is dangerous are groundless. Children under 7 years and elementary schools pupils are subject to vaccination.

“In spite of the fact that we have received the vaccine and opened the second room for vaccination, very few parents with children come. We have already vaccinated some children, we observe them, they don’t have any negative reaction”, the head physician stressed.

She said that explanatory work that the “Grippol” vaccine is safe is underway among parents and school teachers.

12.08.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Sukhum fighters became prize-winners in all weight categories of the Sukhum open free-style wrestling championship

Sukhum fighters became prize-winners in all weight categories of the Sukhum open free-style wrestling championship, the Sukhum team coach Manuchar Beshir-ogly said.

In all 120 people from Tkuarchal, Ochamchyra, Tamysh, Gagra, Sukhum participated in the championship. All prize-winners were awarded with cups, medals and diplomas. “The best technique” prize went to Alias Ketsba, and “For the will to win” prize to Inal Dzhopua.

The competition was organized by the Committee on Youth and Sports of the Sukhum Administration.

12.08.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

From December 1 all districts of Abkhazia have been monitored in order to find out the number of ARD-infected patients and patients with flu, the Minister of Health Care Zurab Marshania said.

According to the Ministry of Health Care, for December 8 the number of adult ARD-infected patients does not exceed 80, children – 102. No flu cases have been revealed.

“At the same time, we understand that the number of patients who haven’t come to see a doctor and receive medical treatment at home, is more. We keep on revealing ARD-infected patients”, Marshania said.

At the initiative of the Ministry of Health Care, “health classes” will be conducted at schools, where teachers should explain pupils how to protect themselves from ARD and the flu virus. These days children under one year are being vaccinated in the Sukhum polyclinic.

The Minister of Health Care considers many parents’ refusal to vaccinate children unjustified. According to Marshania, the “Grippol” vaccine whose efficiency is proved by a long-term practice has been received in Abkhazia.

Answering "Apsnypress" question on the cause of death of two patients in the Sukhum clinical hospital, the Minister of Health Care said: “In one case epidemiological investigation has been made, the cause of death is not connected with the flu virus”. “Since there are certain doubts concerning the second fatal case, the biomaterial has been sent to a special laboratory and we expect the results only tomorrow, on December 9”, Marshania said.

12.08.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

One more consignment of school furniture and equipment has been received in Abkhazia, the Minister of Education Indira Vardaniya said.

It is the next stage of the special governmental program on school furniture and equipment replacement.

The Minister reminded that school desks and chairs had been replaced in all schools of the republic by the beginning of this academic year.

The new furniture for teacher's rooms will be distributed in all schools of the republic.

School furniture hasn’t been replaced for the last 20 years.

12.08.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

According to the first deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee Said Tarkil, for December, 7 customs bodies transferred customs payments of 375,6 mln rbl in total at the plan of 367 mln. This is 69,5 mln rubles more as to compare to the same period of last year.

According to Said Tarkil agricultural products export activities are also high.

5.894.670 kg of citrus have been exported for today what is 574 tons more than last year; 1.857.319 kg of persimmon have been exported (31 tons more than last year); 610.616 kg of feijoa (207 tons more than last year).

12.07.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

On December 3, 2009 persons empowered to act for the presidential candidates of the Republic of Abkhazia Z. Ardzynba, B. Butba and R. Khadzhimba filed an application to the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Abkhazia regarding the form of the local election commission’s ballot protocol.

Thereupon the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Abkhazia states the following:

On November 2, 2009 the ballot protocol sample of a local election commission was approved by a decision of the Central Election Commission. The protocol was developed in strict conformity with article 17 of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Abkhazia “About the Presidential Elections in the Republic of Abkhazia” which specifies the exhaustive list of data indicated in the protocols of election commissions both divisional and district. This article specifies that the following data is indicated in protocols of election commissions:

• number of citizens inscribed in the lists of voters at the presidential elections of the Republic of Abkhazia;

• number of citizens taken part in voting at the presidential elections of the Republic of Abkhazia;

• number of ballot-papers against all presidential candidates of the Republic of Abkhazia;

• number of votes for each presidential candidate of the Republic of Abkhazia;

• number of votes against each presidential candidate of the Republic of Abkhazia;

• number of nullified ballot-papers.

All this information was included in the ballot protocol sample of a local election commission approved by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Abkhazia. Thus, the content of a local election commission’s ballot protocol was brought to conformity with the electoral legislation of the Republic of Abkhazia.

The referense in the application of the persons empowered to act for the presidential candidates to the fact that the Central Election Commission’s instruction does not require the number of ballot- papers given out by a local election commission by the basic and additional lists of voters to be calculated, is not a legal ground for including the following data in a local election commission’s ballot protocol: number of ballot-papers received by a polling station; number of ballot-papers given out to voters for voting; number of ballot-papers given out for voting outside the polling station; number of citizens voted outside the polling station. Based upon this, the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Abkhazia has come to the conclusion that the persons empowered to act for the presidential candidates’ demand to include the above-mentioned data in a local election commission’s ballot protocol is not based on the law, and reference to the practice existing earlier is invalid and unfounded.

We would also like to remind the lawyers who have prepared this application, the theory of the state and the law, according to which only a contract may be declared null and void; to declare a protocol sample or an instruction null and void is a legal nonsense. We would like the lawyers not to make such mistakes in future preparing applications for persons empowered to act for the presidential candidates of the Republic of Abkhazia.

Meanwhile the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Abkhazia, following the concept of maximum responsiveness of proposals and interests of all the elections participants, informs that it will consider inclusion of additional data in a local election commission’s ballot protocol at the next meeting.

The Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Abkhazia B.Tabagua.

12.07.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

A non-governmental organization “Ainar” Abkhaz media club has been created. A group of journalists representing the entire spectrum of the civil society of the Republic of Abkhazia has become its founders. The media club council consisting of seven people has been elected.

The personal name given to the club (this is a name of one of the most interesting heroes of the Abkhaz Nart sagas) will not only prevent media club from being confused with other organizations having the word "media" in their name, but is a symbol of creation and birth of a new non-developed direction of the country’s popularization abroad.

This non-governmental organization is created for the purpose of promoting formation of a positive image of Abkhazia as a subject of international law and advantageous economic partner abroad. The club members intend to promote system and positive coverage by the Abkhaz and foreign mass-media of the processes taking place both in the country and around it, without glossing, without showing them through rose-colored glasses, but giving an objective assessment. The most important task is to promote strengthening of relations with the Republic of Abkhazia and the Russian Federation and other countries not only in the media space but in all the spheres of life.

The primary tasks of the club are:

• to promote strengthening of national unity in the republic and non-admission of materials in mass-media aimed at inflaming civil confrontation, discrediting citizens, as well as materials aimed tendentiously at injuring the country’s international image;

• to promote strengthening of universal norms of journalistic ethics in the Republic.

One of the most important tasks of our work will be creation in Abkhazia of a standing forum for:

• discussing urgent questions of political and economic sphere by Abkhaz and foreign experts.

• arranging trips to Abkhazia for well-known Russian journalists, publicists, political scientists, writers for them to have meetings with representatives of media community and public organizations of Abkhazia.

“To achieve these tasks and aims we intend to establish the closest contacts with all media structures both in Abkhazia and in Russia", the club’s statement says.

12.06.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Press-conference of head of the Passport and Visa Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia

“90 percent of the republic’s residents have already received the passport of the citizen of the Republic of Abkhazia”, the chief of the Passport and Visa Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia Valery Malia said at a press conference in Sukhum.

According to him, 146,121 passports of the citizen of Abkhazia have been issued for today.

The basic document proving identity has been issued to representatives of all 85 nationalities living in Abkhazia. 73,622 of Abkhaz, 32,363 of Armenians, 17,795 of Russian, 12,156 of Georgians, 2,430 of Ukrainians, 1,500 of Greeks, 2,138 of Abazins are among those who have received passports.

The PVS head specified that 9,910 passports have been issued to the under-18 persons; the number of citizens who do not live in the republic and who have received the document without a residence permit makes 5,759.

Earlier the PVS had no proper office, owing to it, as a result of a technical incident, 8,620 forms of the document were damaged what was registered by a governmental commission, certified and they were deposited.

According to Valery Malia, 365 thousand passports in all have been printed.

An event owing to which the main document of the citizen of the republic was changed occurred in 2003. The ship that was conveying passports from Turkey was seized by Georgian coastguards and 25 thousand forms found themselves at the disposal of the Georgian authorities. “After that incident the leadership of Abkhazia took the decision to make some changes to the passport forms. In particular, if the first lot seized by the Georgian party, has the passport number printed in red, the subsequent lots were printed in dark blue. We also changed the type and made some differences in comparison with the seized lot”, V. Malia specified.

The Service head also said that valid passports samples the citizens of Abkhazia living beyond its bounds have the right to vote with at the presidential elections on December 12 had been sent to the Embassy of Abkhazia in the Russian Federation and the republic’s representative office in Cherkessk.

12.06.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

The NATO Ministers advice to Russia to revise the recognition of Abkhazia means that the alliance is not ready to leave stereotypes of a year and a half’s prescription, the head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov believes.

"These are old positions, the positions which mean only one thing – that the facts which are well-known to to all the NATO members are ignored for political reasons, that the Tagliavini report which has been ordered by Europeans not us was not studied, or studied, but the facts mentioned in it are ignored", Sergey Lavrov said following the results of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs meeting within the framework of the Russia-NATO Council.

According to the Minister, his colleagues in the western countries "operate with the cliche of a year and a half’s prescription, without taking into consideration the real situation in Transcaucasia absolutely". At the same time, the head of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs is sure this position will change.

"I think that the principle of the non-use of force, the principle of respect of territorial integrity will all the same prevail without any double standards. It cannot be so that all should respect territorial integrity and peaceful settlement of disputes, and mister Saakashvili should not", he said, meaning the fact that the President of Georgia had attacked the Ossetins whom he had considered his citizens.

The NATO statement, he added, reflects the fact that it is “politicized and overideologized". "We take it normally, as a thing, which is repeated as an incantation. Probably, someone wouldn’t like to lose political face", he concluded.

On December 4 MFA heads of the 28 NATO member states in the final statement after the Russia-NATO Council meeting called all the participants of the Geneva negotiations on security on the Caucasus to promote situation settlement in Georgia. Also the NATO Ministers once again called Russia to revise its decision on the recognition of independence of Abkhazia.

12.05.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Patriotic War of the Abkhaz Nation veterans call everybody not to allow repetition of the events taken place during last Abkhaz presidential elections

Veterans of the Patriotic War of the Abkhaz Nation consider repetition of the events which took place during the last presidential elections in Abkhazia in 2004 inadmissible, said Zaur Zarandia, Fazlybei Tarba, Timur Nadaraya, Otar Lomia, Dmitry Ardzynba, Slavik Kuchuberia, Robert Dochia and Nodar Kakubava appearing on the Abkhaz State TV & Radio company.

“5 years ago we couldn’t hold the situation, and each of us is responsible for that. This year we will do our best not to allow confrontation”, Timur Nadaraya, a Leon Order Knight said. “We should correct the error made five years ago. Presidential elections must be held so that nobody should doubt their legitimacy”.

According to him, “veterans are responsible for the country the same way as 16 years ago, and this is a common understanding whatever candidate this or that veteran of the Patriotic War of the Abkhaz Nation supports”.

“Today all is watching us closely, if we can hold the elections within the framework of democracy. All five candidates are worthy people, and each of them has war veterans, our brother-soldiers in their teams. We will make the elections to be held within the framework of the law”, a Hero of Abkhazia Otar Lomia said.

Comparing the situation during the last elections with the today's one, Lomia mentioned that it’s much more peaceful today. “We have agreed to do everything for the elections to be held in peaceful atmosphere and for all violations to be resolved within the framework of the law”, he said.

According to the war veteran Dmitry Ardzynba, “after the elections the nation should be united, not separated”. “Who means actually good to the people, should struggle according to the law. That’s why, I ask all - the Central Election Commission members, the candidates’ election staffs - not to bring people together and to struggle correctly”, Ardzynba said.

“I want the elections to be held fairly. And I will congratulate the candidate who will win in a fair struggle”, a Hero of Abkhazia Slavik Kuchuberia said.

The Leon Order Knight Robert Dochia, in turn, emphasized that “all candidates should have equal opportunities, and everyone should struggle fairly”.

“It is terrible for me to remember the events of five years' prescription and I am afraid of their repetition”, a Hero of Abkhazia Nodar Kakubava said. “Lavrenty Mikvabia and I after the last elections swore at our friends’ tombs that we would make everything for it not to repeat again”, he said, and also asked all citizens and different staffs representatives to treat the elections of the head of the state with all responsibility.

“We will congratulate the winner only in case everything is held fairly and within the framework of the law. It’s necessary to learn by other's mistakes, and it’s inadmissible to repeat our own mistakes. It’s not allowed to bribe voters because being bought today, you’ll be easily sold tomorrow”, Kakubava said.

According to the former commander of the “Scorpion” group, after the elections there should be no political persecution. “No agreement will help those who will break the law and bring people together. After the elections we, veterans, will elect a Council which will resolve the problems we have. All problems should be settled legally. We will allow nobody to manipulate us and we will unite against any injustice”, Kakubava declared.

On October 26 a group of veterans of the 1992-1993 Patriotic War of the Abkhaz Nation uniting both the present authorities supporters and opposition ones, made a statement where called the people of Abkhazia to keep unity, regardless of the presidential elections results.

Alik Aiba, Gennady Margania, Dmitry Ardzynba, Vitaly Darmava, Slavik Kuchuberia, Timur Nadaraya, Zaur Zarandia, Nodar Kakubava, Timur Chagava, Arcady Dzhindzholia, Fazlybei Tarba, Zaur Adleiba were among those who signed this statement.

12.05.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Russia’s National parks heads support the idea of creating the “Kodor Valley” National park in Abkhazia and making it a part of the international transboundary specially conserved natural territory

Heads of Russia’s National parks support the idea of creating the “Kodor Valley” National park in Abkhazia and making it a part of the international transboundary specially conserved natural territory, the Chairman of the State Ecological Service of Abkhazia Roman Dbar said upon return from Smolensk where the All-Russia “Urgent problems of development of ecological tourism in the National parks of Russia at the present stage” seminar-meeting of the Russia’s National parks heads had taken place.

76 people participated in the meeting, including heads of 40 Russia’s National parks, the “Lenskiye Stolby” Natural park, representatives of the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of Russia, the Federal Agency on Youth, the Federal Centre of Youthful Tourism and Study of Local Lore, representatives of the tourist and ecological non-governmental organizations.

The head of the Ecological Service of Abkhazia had been officially invited by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation.

According to Roman Dbar, the seminar participants spoke about the important role of ecological tourism in formation of economic mechanisms of biological and landscape diversity conservation, as well as about propaganda of ideas of natural and cultural heritage conservation among various strata of the society.

In seminar-meeting conclusion a resolution where the National parks heads ask the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation to give priority attention to the development of ecological tourism in the National parks was adopted. It is also a question of importance of approving, according to the established procedure, a departmental special program of support of federal, specially conserved natural territories, providing for the development of ecological tourism.

“Including, it is also a question of creating the “Kodor Valley” National park in the Republic of Abkhazia with making it subsequently a part of the international transboundary specially conserved natural territory”, Dbar said and specified it would happen within the framework of international cooperation.

12.05.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Sukhum, Abkhazia is establishing contacts with the countries lesser dependent on the NATO and the USA and understanding the Abkhaz nation’s struggle for freedom and independence. “The USA and the European Union hamper in every way possible the recognition of independence of our republic. Therefore we are searching for the countries lesser dependent, sometimes independent at all of the NATO and the USA and the countries understanding our struggle for freedom and independence”, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia Sergey Shamba said on the Abkhaz TV, commenting on the country leaders’ request to Ecuador for the recognition of independence of Abkhazia.

“After the President Raphael Correa Delgado have said at a press conference in Moscow that Ecuador is ready to consider the issue of independence of Abkhazia, we there and then sent to this country a representative with official papers from the President of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia”, Shamba said.

According to Shamba, Ecuador considered closely Abkhazia’s request. He especially pointed to the activity of the Russian Embassy in Ecuador representatives who helped with spade-work in accordance with the Memorandum signed between the foreign policy departments of Abkhazia and Russia providing for Russia’s assistance to Abkhazia’s foreign policy activity.

Now a delegation of Abkhazia headed by the deputy Foreign Minister Maxim Gunjia is in Ecuador. “Our representatives whom I’ m regularly communicating with by phone and via e-mail, tell me about intensive contacts with different politicians and businessmen of Ecuador showing real interest in Abkhazia. Serious business circles and political forces are ready to lobby our interests. The issue of the recognition of Abkhazia is being considered in the Presidential Administration and the Parliament”, Shamba said. In the parliament, according to him, “there are already serious and reliable guarantees”. “So we have good prospects”, Sergey Shamba said.

12.04.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Free sale in pharmacies of codeine-based madical products may be banned in Abkhazia

Sukhum, Abkhazia may ban free sale in pharmacies of codeine-based medical products, the Minister of Health Care Zurab Marshania told journalists.

A meeting attended by the acting Prime Minister Leonid Lakerbaya where the problem of wide use by addicts of codeine-based medical products was discussed was held in the Ministry of Health Care.

Physicians ascertained serious complications of health and problems appearing when treating young men taking drugs.

“Undoubtedly, it’s impossible to solve the problem of drug addiction at once, but today drustic measures must be taken. I think that colleagues and the Government will support our proposal to sell these preparations only when prescribed by a doctor”, Marshania declared.

12.04.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

Quito, On December 1 M. Gunjia had a meeting with the deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ecuador L. Arisago. The meeting was also attended by the director of the department of Europe of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Ecuador P.Villagomes. Gunjia told about historical prerequisites of Abkhazia’s independence, the present situation in the republic and prospects of its development.

The Republic of Abkhazia’s official request to Ecuador for the recognition is being scrutinized thoroughly, the Abkhaz diplomats were told in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Ecuador. L. Arisago and M.Gunjia also discussed the guestions of economic cooperation between the two countries.

12.04.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 At present the Ecuadorian side is scrutinizing thoroughly the given materials – Sergey Shamba

Sukhum, Abkhazia hopes that the republic’s independence will be recognized by Ecuador in the near future, the head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia Sergey Shamba said.

According to him, an official appeal with the request for the recognition of independence of Abkhazia was handed over to the President of Ecuador at the beginning of November right after he’d returned from Moscow.

"The Abkhazia’s envoy to Venezuela at our request has visited Ecuador and handed over to the President of this country Raphael Correa an official appeal with the request to consider the recognitions of Abkhazia", the foreign policy department head said.

"After that we made a decision to send a higher level delegation to this country and now the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia representatives led by the deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Maxim Gunjia are in Latin America", the Minister said.

S. Shamba said members of the delegation handed over to the President and the Parliament of "this country a number of materials about the history of Abkhazia, history of the conflict with Georgia".

"Our delegation has held meetings in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Parliament of Ecuador. The majority of this country’s MPs have supported independence of Abkhazia. The Ecuadorian side is now scrutinizing thoroughly the given materials and we hope will soon make a statement on this issue", S. Shamba said.

During his visit to Moscow on October 28-30 the President of Ecuador R. Correa declared that his country was ready to consider the recognition of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia if they received such a request.

12.04.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Statement from the press-service for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia

The visit of the Abkhaz Foreign Ministry delegation in the Latin American countries continues.

The delegation of Abkhazia took part in the opening ceremony of the Days of Russian Culture in Ecuador which was being held in the oldest university of Quito. The deputy Foreign Minister of Abkhazia Maxim Gunjia delivered a welcoming speech to the guests, stressing the importance of establishing relations between Abkhazia and Ecuador in all the spheres of the states’ modern life. The University of Ecuador is ready to admit students from Abkhazia and to develop cooperation with the Abkhaz State University.

On December 1 M. Gunjia had a meeting with the deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Ecuador L. Arisago. The meeting was also attended by the director of the Europe Department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Ecuador P. Villagomes. Gunjia told about historical prerequisites of independence of Abkhazia, the present situation in the republic and prospects of its development.

The Republic of Abkhazia’s official request to Ecuador about the recognition is considered very carefully, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Ecuador told Abkhaz diplomats. L. Arisago and M. Gunjia also discussed the questions of economic cooperation between the two countries.

On December 2 a meeting with the Vice Chairman of the Parliament of the Republic of Ecuador Mr. Pansana took place in Quito.

The Parliament of Ecuador has initiated development of inter-parliamentary cooperation, as well as establishment of relations between business circles of Abkhazia and Ecuador.

12.03.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 The citizens of Abkhazia being beyond the bounds of the republic, can Moscow and Cherkessk – Central Election Commission of the republic of Abkhazia

Thanks to the changes made by the Parliament to the electoral legislation, the citizens of Abkhazia being beyond the bounds of the republic, can use their legitimate right and vote in Moscow or Cherkessk, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Abkhazia Batal Tabagua said at a press conference in the CEC.

In order to avoid falsification or double voting, the Central Election Commission representatives will notify by phone or fax the Central Election Commission in Sukhum of the last names of those who have voted. In turn members of the Election Commission should exclude in Abkhazia those voters from the primary lists at the place of registration. “All it will be done in the presence of observers. By request of staffs or persons empowered to act for candidates they will be given copies of lists of voters who have voted abroad”, B. Tabagua said.

He told journalists the Central Election Commission accepts almost all proposals and complaints from different staffs and responds to them. “So, the staffs of presidential candidates Raul Hajimba and Zaur Ardzynba have prepared together and handed over to us 21 proposals on election campaign procedures”, he said.

Tabagua said that these days the Central Election Commission is preparing a ballot-paper sample. He specified that no more than 3000 voting papers will be sent to Moscow and Cherkessk.

The Chairman of the Central Election Commission excludes the possibility of voting papers being taken out from the polling stations. In order to avoid the facts of "photoreport" by means of mobile phones the Central Election Commission has made the decision to install polling-booths without blinds at the polling stations.

“Our task is to make all presidential and vice presidential candidates as well as voters be sure that the elections of the head of the state have been absolutely transparent, the secret of the citizens’ will has been observed”, Batal Tabagua emphasized.

12.03.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Nine young beauties from Abkhazia to take part in the International “Ms. Perfection – 2009” junior beauty contest

Nine young beauties from Abkhazia will take part in the International “Ms. Perfection – 2009” junior beauty contest which will be held in Moscow at the beginning of December, the Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports of the city of Sukhum Shazina Avidzba said.

The girls have already left for Moscow accompanied by an employee of the Committee on Youth and Sports of the city of Sukhum. The semi-final will be held on December 4 in Vyacheslav Zaitsev's Fashion House. The final of the "Ms. Perfection" contest will take place in the Concert Hall of the “Estet” Jewellery House. Russian pop stars and winners of International competitions will participate in the concert.

Good-looking girls aged from 5 to 15 are invited to the contest. The contest let all the participants to present themselves, to show creative abilities and become an embodiment of Good and Beauty all over the world!

The Competition’s jury includes well-known cultural workers, fashion designers, representatives of model agencies, the press, TV, popular actors, high-ranking guests from Russia, France, Italy and other countries.

The Grand prix of the Contest is a trip to the International Beauty Contest, as well as a photo session and contracts with known model and advertising agencies. Special prizes from the Competition’s guardians.

The annual “Ms. Perfection” Beauty and Good Contest will continue work in such European cities as Barcelona (2010), Paris (2011), Milan (2012)

The Competition is held with support from the “Start UP-Moscow” Musical producer agency, “Marks-TV” International television channel, "Spiritual Heritage" Youth Educational Society.

12.03.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

For the first time a team of Abkhazia took part in the Pankration World Youth Championship in the city of Omsk, the Chairman of the State Committee on Youth and Sports Raphael Ampar said: “The combined team of Abkhazia took the 5th place, and our three athletes took the first places”.

In all 33 sets of medals have been played off on the sports arena of Victor Blinov’s Sports Complex.

Over 110 athletes from 13 countries - Australia, India, Greece, Iran, Russia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Abkhazia took part in the Championship. The competitions were held by the “play-off” system with drop out after the first defeat. The fight formula is five minutes of net time.

The Pankration Youth World Championship was organized by the International Federation of Pankration (IFPA), the Russian Federation of Pankration (RFPA), the Omsk City Administration and “Pankration” Russian sports centre.

12.03.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 PMR CEC delegation to monitor presidential elections in Abkhazia

A delegation of the Central Election Commission of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic will monitor presidential elections in Abkhazia.

Pridnestrovian observers participation in the elections of the head of Abkhazia will be the result of the cooperation agreement with the Election Commissions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia signed last year. According to the Chairman of the supreme electoral body of Transdniestria, the PMR Central Election Commission also maintains cooperation with colleagues from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Nagorno-Karabakh.

12.02.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

A special polling station has been opened in Cherkessk for citizens of Abkhazia.

The role of Karachay-Cherkessia in the Abkhaz elections is that the Consulate of the Republic of Abkhazia has been given technical-organizational means for voting. The terms of reference of the Consul of Abkhazia in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic Oleg Etlukhov who heads the special polling station cover specification of the list of voters and holding of the elections.

Citizens of Abkhazia living in other North Caucasian regions are expected to arrive in Karachay-Cherkessia. One can vote at the polling station located in the city hall of Cherkessk on December 12 from 8:00am till 8:00pm Moscow time.

12.02.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Russia’s leadership representatives intend to discuss in Abkhazia investments into sphere of air and railway  communication

The Vice Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation Sergey Ivanov and the Minister of Transport Igor Levitin will visit Abkazia on December 2-3, Russian electronic mass-media said. Representatives of the Russia’s leadership intend to discuss in Abkhazia investments into the sphere of air and railway communication.

The Russian delegation also plans to consider the issue of a new road building which will connect the Southern and Northern shelters through the Caucasus range what will simplify cargoes movement between the two countries.

On November 26 Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ordered the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation to carry on negotiations with Abkhazia which will result in signing a Russian-Abkhaz intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of air traffic.

"Each of the parties contributes to the establishment of conditions enabling the other party to perform aircraft flights, as well as its navigational, technical and airport servicing", the draft agreement says.

In compliance with the supplement to the agreement, "the party responsible for servicing the air space above the territory of the state of the other party shall be responsible for the quality and completeness of such servicing".

At the same time delegation to the Russian side of such functions should be assigned by a separate agreement, the draft agreement says. According to the Ministry of Transport this agreement is being developed now.

“The Russian party informs international organizations about the activity of civil aviation of Abkhazia and represents the interests of the Republic of Abkhazia in the International Civil Aviation Organization until Abkhazia joins the International Civil Aviation Organization", the draft agreement says.

12.01.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia

 Statement from the press-service for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia

A visit of the delegation of the Foreign Ministry of Abkhazia in Latin American countries started today. The delegation includes Maxim Gunjia, the deputy Foreign Minister, and Asida Inapshba, the protocol service head.

The Abkhaz visitors will meet with their counterparts in Venezuela and Ecuador, as well as with ALBA representatives.

The Abkhaz diplomats also intend to invite a delegation of the Central Election Commission of Venezuela to monitor the presidential elections in Abkhazia.

12.01.2009  Official Site of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia