The enlarged session of the public Chamber of the Republic took place

Sukhum, Sale and export of agricultural products were the topics of today's discussion during a meeting. The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic Vladimir Daurov, experts and members of the public Chamber. Given the annual growth dynamics of resort development and tourism, Agriculture Ministry must first ensure its home market. Export is also planned, wherein the Abkhazian side will not be incurred customs rates on any agricultural products.

To solve that issue the public Chamber has set up a working group headed by Oleg Kalibatov.

All of the recommendations made at the meeting, will be submitted to the leadership of the Republic for discussion.

01.24.2013  Abkhazian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

Sukhum, At this stage, works are being carried out on the Agrba street.According to Zurab Amichba, it is a very complicated place. In addition to large amounts of work, dialogue with residents is not always comes to positive results. All the works in the Novyi Raion area will be completed within four months.

According to the Decree of the President road repairs connecting Novyi Raion with Eshera will be initiated soon. State company "Abhazberegozashita" is in charge of the project.

01.24.2013  Abkhazian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

 Participants of the Council of Young Diplomats have met with the representatives of the MFA of the Republic of Abkhazia

Tiraspol, Today the participants of the Council of Young Diplomats of the MFA of the Pridnestrovian-Moldavian Republic have met with the representatives of the delegation of the Republic of Abkhazia: Irakliy Tuzhba, the Head of the RF, RSO,PMR, CIS countries and Georgia and Lasha Avidzba, the Deputy Head of the Consular Service. Vitaliy Ignatev, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR and department officers participated in the meeting too. It should be recalled that the meeting was held in accordance with arrangements devoted to the 20-tieth anniversary of the date on which the signing of the Treaty on friendship and cooperation between the Pridnestrovian-Moldavian Republic and the Republic of Abkhazia was made.

The spirited conversation began between the CYD of the MFA of the PMR and the Abkhazian guests, during the course of which the parties shared their achievements with regard to the realization of the states' foreign policies. Namely, young diplomats talked about the successful realization of a number of interactive projects with the representatives of Abkhazia, such as the international intellectual project; "Commonwealth of Independent States".

The television space bridge with Kamchatka was installed within the project where young people called upon the international community to recognize the independence of Transdniestria and the participation of the Pridnestrovian delegation in the international youth forum, "Moldova of the new generation". It was held in Kishinev and quadripartite television bridge within the forum. The guests from Abkhazia were informed about the new project of January 13, 2013, "Youth Eurasian Internet Conference". Young diplomats of Transdniestria called upon their guests to involve active young people of Abkhazia in the present project, and the Abkhazian colleagues responded positively.

The parties exchanged opinions on the realization of tourist projects in Transdniestria and Abkhazia. The participants of the CYD underlined that Benderskaya fortress was of great interest not only in the republic itself, but abroad as well. In connection with this, historical-cultural projects are being realized, and it has played a great role in forming a positive image of the republic.

The guests from Abkhazia emphasized that multilevel work is being held in this direction in the state too. However, despite the great support of the Russian Federation, Abkhazia had to make great efforts in pushing each step forward at international level because of serious counteraction from Georgia.

At the end of the meeting the parties agreed to build on the cooperation of the youth, and they underlined that the meeting was of constructive and informative value.

Irakliy Tuzhba underlined that the work of the Council of Young Diplomats MFA PMR was a positive experience for the active young Abkhazians who wished to make a contribution to the foreign policy of the republic. He expressed support for the Eurasian initiatives of young diplomats of Transdniestria. "It is a very time consuming job. We should continue the dialogue and move forward in this direction. I am sure that these initiatives, not only of the Council participants, but of the leadership of the republic as a whole, will be crowned with success", Irakliy Tuzhba said.

01.23.2013  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia

 First Vice Premier of Abkhazia Indira Vardania hosted head of the International Red Cross Mission in the Republic Lucas Haas

Sukhum, Lucas Haas completes his work in our country as a head of this organization.

At a meeting with first Deputy Prime Minister Indira Vardania Lucas Haas thanked the leadership of the Republic for the assistance provided. The first Vice Premier highly appreciated the activities of the International Red Cross mission in Abkhazia under the guidance of Lucas Haas. After thanking him for his professionalism, she highlighted the work of the ICRC on search for the missing.

01.23.2013  Abkhazian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

 Specialized organization of state company "Abhazberegozashita" completes first phase of works on dismantling the old bridge structures and the construction of a new one and widening course of the river in the village of Dranda of Gulrypsh district

Sukhum, At all times as repairs were going on vehicular traffic did stop even for a minute. The detour bridge constructed in the immediate vicinity is the same good as the old one.

The construction of a new bridge in Dranda is scheduled to be completed within two months. A new overpass will meet all modern requirements.

01.23.2013  Abkhazian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

Sukhum, In order to establish effective channels for public feedback and develop positions based on the expert-analytical framework, the Public Expert Council was formed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia. The Abkhaz Foreign Ministry attaches great importance not only to the expert-analytical support of their work, but also to the opinion of the Abkhazian society regarding the form and content of the foreign policy. That's why on January 21, 2013 to the second extended meeting of the Public Expert Council were invited representatives of various political parties, MPs, academics and experts, political and public figures, NGO activists.

The meeting agenda contained the discussion of a number of topical issues of foreign policy of the Republic of Abkhazia. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Viacheslav Chirikba in detail briefed the Council on the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia in 2012. He described structural, personnel and other organizational changes in the Ministry and informed about the challenges and successes of the diplomatic and information work of the Ministry.

The second thematic section of the meeting was devoted to the Geneva discussions on security and stability in the South Caucasus. Members of the Public Expert Council discussed the effectiveness and validity of the position of the Abkhaz side consisting in the requirement to change the format of its participation in the Geneva process. Despite the fact that at the present time all the parties to the Geneva discussions are present there in equal status - expert - continuation of work in this format does not allow to come to the signing of legally binding agreements, which does not fully meet the national interests of the Republic. Therefore, the participants supported the position of the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia which insists on raising the status of the participants of the Geneva discussions to the level of official delegations.

Further the members of the Council discussed a range of topics representing both public and expert-analytical interest. In particular, they discussed mechanisms to strengthen the positive image of the foreign policy of Abkhazia, to strengthen the effectiveness of the foreign policy of the country, the possible challenges in connection with the change of the political situation in Georgia, the tactics of diplomatic interaction with the individual actors of the world politics and international relations.

Concluding the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Viacheslav Chirikba noted the importance of holding such regular meetings that will more effectively align tactical and strategic options of foreign policy of the Republic of Abkhazia.

01.22.2013  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia

 The state budget for the year 2013 is adopted by the Parliament of the country at today's meeting

Sukhum, For thedraft of basic financial document, which was presented to the National Assembly by President, voted 21 members of the parliament, eight were against, five deputies abstained. We remind that proposed draft budget adopted before New Year, was vetoed bythe President and returned to Parliament with amendments. The meeting was attended by Deputy Premier, Finance Minister Vladimir Delba.

The Deputies discussed raising electricity rates. It was decided to adopt the appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers with proposal to postpone increasing electricity rates.

Deputies considered a number of other issues.

01.22.2013  Abkhazian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

Many years ago, this monument was put on long term preservation. A cross-shaped concrete had to preserve that historical value from destruction. According to preliminary reports, the black diggers has been destroying historical site not one day. Human remains are scattered around  on the surface at the place of the monument.

It has been estimated that over 500 years more than 40 thousand people were buried there. These are real fields of burials! And each of them contains dozens of diverse objects, weapons, ornaments, utensils. Now law reinforcement agencies will start searching for black diggers. Following report of the experts, criminal proceedings will be initiated.

01.22.2013  Abkhazian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia held a second session of the public Expert Council, among the issues being discussed is the work of the Foreign Ministry over the past year

Participants discussed the effectiveness and validity of the position of the Abkhaz side in the Geneva process, namely, demand to changeto the format of the participation, since work in current format does not allow signing legally binding agreements. Therefore, the members of the Expert Council supported the position of the leadership of the country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, insisting on raising the status of parties in Geneva talks to the level of official delegations.

Membersof the Council discussed a number of topics of interest. In particular, the mechanisms for strengthening the positive foreign image of Abkhazia, on the enhancement of the effectiveness of work in key areas of foreign policy and the possible challenges due to changes in the political situation in Georgia.

01.22.2013  Abkhazian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

According to the rating of the American human rights and analytical organization "Freedom House" for 2013 Abkhazia has been once again listed among the “partially free” societies. It is noteworthy that according to the evaluation the level of political freedoms in Abkhazia has increased by one point in comparison with the last year, mainly due to the free and highly competitive Parliamentary elections in 2012.

The rating of "Freedom House", which is an influential organization financed by the US Congress and is hardly loyal to Abkhazia, demonstrates that in terms of democratic development our country is one of the leaders among the world countries which have not gained wide international recognition yet.

01.17.2013  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia