Photo: Abkhaz Foreign Minister Inal Ardzinba/TASS
SIRIUS /Federal Territories/, March 5 /TASS/. - Abkhazia sees its future in a union state with Russia and Belarus, Abkhaz Foreign Minister Inal Ardzinba said.
"One of the key tasks of the present is the Belarus project. Although we do not yet have diplomatic relations with Belarus, heads of state have exchanged visits," he said during a discussion on Russia in the current international environment at the World Youth Festival.
"We understand that the road to a union state is relatively long and difficult, but a large part of our population supports such a process," he stressed. "That is why we will strive for it."
"As far as Belarus is concerned, we are now building a foundation. We are maintaining trade and economic relations, investment cooperation is starting, active development is starting," he said.
"This is where we see our future - in strengthening our ties with Russia and in our efforts for a union state," Ardzinba said, thanking Russia for its support for his country. "Our people appreciate it. And I think the results of the vote in the Russian presidential election in Abkhazia will give a clear picture that you people know what gratitude and thankfulness is," he added.
The top Abkhaz diplomat also said his country plans to revive humanitarian aid and information support to Donbas. "We hope to be able to go to Donbass soon to support our brothers and friends. As a country, we support the special military operation, we support fair international relations and we support (Russian President) Vladimir Putin," he stressed.
According to Ardzinba, the majority of Abkhazians "support the special military operation because they have hopes for the creation of a more just world order, respecting the rights of peoples, their specificities and history, regardless of their political or economic power."
"Our people and government believe that although the special military operation is geographically local, it has a global mission, including in terms of integration processes in the post-Soviet space, which are very important for our country," he added.
More than 250 tonnes of humanitarian aid have been sent to the Special Military Operation Zone over the past two years.
The World Youth Festival will be held from 1 to 7 March 2024 in the Sirius Federal Territory in the far south of Russia. More than 300,000 people from 190 countries have applied to take part. Participants in the regional programme of the festival will visit 30 Russian cities from 10-17 March. TASS news agency is the general information partner of the event.
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https://tass.com/world/1755751
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