Abkhaz and South Ossetian leaders Sergey Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoity, respectively, said on April 28 in Sokhumi that cooperation between the two regions is aimed at peace and is not directed against Georgia, the Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reported.
Kokoity and Bagapsh signed a protocol on the exchange of notes on the ratification of an ?Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between the Abkhaz and South Ossetian Republics? in Sokhumi on April 28.
Kokoity was accompanied on this trip by the breakaway region?s Foreign Minister Murad Jioyev, Chief of Security Service Nikolai Dolgopolov, and Deputy Defense Minister Ibragim Gaseev.
The agreement, which was signed by Bagapsh and Kokoity in the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali on September 19, 2005 and which was ratified by the Abkhaz and South Ossetian Parliaments in February, 2006, envisages mutual assistance in economic, political, and humanitarian fields.
?In case of the emergence of a threat to peace and stability or their violation in one of the states [Abkhazia and South Ossetia], the parties immediately launch consultations to coordinate their actions aimed at preventing this kind of threat and at undertaking effective measures for providing peace and stability,? the agreement reads.
At a joint news conference South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity said that the military component of the agreement is of less importance and the major focus should be on economic and political cooperation. But he also added that South Ossetia will immediately provide assistance to Abkhazia in case of aggression from the Georgian side.
He also said that Abkhazia and South Ossetia will further boost their military cooperation. ?Military exercises on the territory of South Ossetia with the participation of the Abkhaz units is proof of [this cooperation]. We will continue exercises of these kinds if necessary,? Kokoity said.
Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh said that Abkhazia is ready to sign a similar agreement with Moldova?s breakaway region of Transdnestria.
He said that in cases of threats to peace, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, as well as Transdnestria will take a joint position and will jointly withdraw from peace talks.
Bagapsh also said that Abkhazia and South Ossetia will also cooperate in the ?fight against terrorism.?
?Terrorist acts regularly carried out by the Georgian special services in the South Ossetian border areas, as well as border areas of the Gali District of Abkhazia prompt us to find ways to fight this evil? an anti-terrorist center has just recently been set up in Abkhazia for this very reason,? Sergey Bagapsh said.
He said that South Ossetia is undertaking steps in this regard as well.
?In case of necessity we will create a system of coordination of actions to fight terrorism. All civilized nations in the world should unite their efforts to fight this evil,? Sergey Bagapsh said.
At the joint news conference, the two leaders reiterated that Abkhazia and South Ossetia seek independence.
Eduard Kokoity said that South Ossetia should first gain internationally recognized independence in order to then join Russia?s North Ossetian Republican.
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