‘One Step Left before Recognition’ – Sokhumi

Russia’s move to boost ties with Abkhazia and South Ossetia “will become a breakthrough” in resolving economic, social and security problems, Sergey Shamba, the foreign minister of breakaway Abkhazia, said on April 16.

“Actually, only the final step now remains to be taken on the road towards eventual recognition of our independence,” Apsnipress news agency quoted Shamba as saying. “This [Russia’s decision] is a result of the hard work of both sides – the leaderships of Abkhazia and Russia, directed towards moving closer to each other.”

He also said that Russian citizens living in Abkhazia should enjoy all the privileges, including social ones and security guarantees, that are available to those in Russia.

“Putin’s instructions envisage recognition of our documents and this is very important,” Shamba said. “Recognition is a long process, but a Kosovo precedent gives an impetus to it.”

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