HIS EXCELLENCY

MR DAUR KOVE,

FOREIGN MINISTER

OF THE REPUBLIC OF ABKHAZIA

Sukhum, Abkhazia

 

Mr Kove,

I congratulate you and all the employees of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Abkhazia on its 25th anniversary.

A quarter of a century is a long time. The Foreign Ministry of Abkhazia was created in a dramatic period when the multiethnic people of Abkhazia were forced to take up arms and defend their inalienable right to freedom and independence. In those difficult days, the Abkhazian leadership and the first President of Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba clearly understood the significance of the “diplomatic front” in upholding the interests of the young state. Your Ministry played a major part in clarifying the meaning of those historical events to international audiences, in mobilising the necessary external support, and after the military phase of the conflict was over, actively joined the diplomatic process to achieve a peaceful settlement.

A whole new stage in the history of Abkhaz diplomacy began in 2008 following official recognition of the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Abkhazia by the Russian Federation and a number of other states.

The task of positioning the republic on the international arena as an independent actor in international relations, which you faced, was not simple. In the current circumstances, it requires sticking to principles and consistency, the ability to properly respond to open hostility and feigned friendliness, and to invariably proceed from the long-term interests of strengthening Abkhazia’s independent statehood.

We are pleased with the fact that we managed to establish an effective mechanism for Russian-Abkhaz foreign policy coordination in recent years. It makes it possible to work together to address common tasks in order to strengthen regional stability and security, expand the international presence of Abkhazia, and act as a united front at the Geneva talks on issues related to the Transcaucasus.

We highly appreciate the contribution made by the Foreign Ministry of Abkhazia to developing the full range of allied relations between our countries.

Today, the staff of your Ministry comprises mostly young, active and broad-minded diplomats who loyally serve the interests of the country. The Russian Foreign Ministry is ready – through our affiliated educational institutions, such as MGIMO University and the Diplomatic Academy – to contribute to the training and further professional development of Abkhazian diplomats.

I warmly congratulate you and your colleagues on this anniversary and would like to assure you that the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Abkhazia can always count on the support of the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation.

 

SERGEY LAVROV

 

Moscow, May 17, 2018