Putin Meets Abkhaz Leader
Russian President Vladimer Putin met Abkhaz leader Raul Khajimba at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on February 18.
Putin noted “special nature of relations” between Moscow and Sokhumi and said that bilateral ties “are developing in all the areas, including economy and security,” according to the Kremlin.
“Probably there are some issues that need to be discussed separately,” Putin told Khajimba.
In his opening remarks at the meeting Khajimba, who previously met Putin in May 2015, said: “After our last meeting a significant amount of changes have occurred in our bilateral relations; a number of sectoral agreements has been signed for the development of the basic treaty [on alliance and strategic partnership]. There are some issues that are being solved in the sphere of security, economic and social issues.”
Khajimba also said that increase of age pensions for those residents of Abkhazia, who are citizens of Russia, has “actually started” as envisaged by the treaty on alliance between Moscow and Sokhumi.
“I think that this development should be intensive and it will be further strengthened,” he added.
Also on February 18, Khajimba met Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak in Moscow, the Abkhaz leader’s office said.
It said that the Abkhaz leader “thanked the Russian Energy Ministry’s leadership for providing assistance in resolving critical situation with the supply of electricity to Abkhazia.”