Leader highlights recognition of Abkhazia independence

Recognition of Abkhazia’s independence is the main event of the past five years, Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh said on Friday during an official meeting with the speaker of the Russian Federation Council upper house of parliament, Sergei Mironov.

Mironov represents Russia at the ceremony to inaugurate Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh on Friday. Mironov heads a heavyweight Russian delegation, which includes parliamentarians from both houses and representatives of other branches of power.

Welcoming the Russian delegation, Bagapsh offered words of gratitude on behalf of the Abkhazian people for “what has been done by the great Russian state for the Abkhazian people and the whole Caucasus”. “One must have great courage and political foresight to assume the responsibility that the Russian leadership assumed by recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” Bagapsh said.

This makes the republic very responsible for what is being done inside the republic and also responsible to Russia, he said. Mironov, for his part, stressed that the decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia was unanimous in both houses of Russian parliament.

“It was a common desire of the multinational Russian state – to support two new independent countries, Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” Mironov believes.

On behalf of the Russian people he wished Bagapsh success and also wished prosperity and peace to the people of Abkhazia.

Mironov and Bagapsh put flowers to the Memorial of Glory.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has congratulated Sergei Bagapsh upon inauguration.

2010-02-12 - ITAR-TASS