Syria has seen a reliable partner in the face of Abkhazia, Abkhaz Foreign Minister Daur Kove has announced at a news conference in Sukhum on recognition of the sovereignty of the republic by Syria.
According to him, the process of alignment with Syria started as early as in 2011, when a civil war broke out in the country. Abkhazia was rendering assistance to Syria with sending humanitarian aid and hosting about 500 refugees.
He said that recognition from Syria has a huge importance for Abkhazia, as the former is a serious player in the Middle east. Despite the fact that the country has survived a military conflict where it confronted with terrorism, it is passing the crisis over and showing stable development, the Abkhaz foreign minister said. “Having such a partner in the Middle East, Abkhazia can establish contacts with other countries of the region,” Kove is quoted as saying by Apsnypress.
Kove stressed that his ministry is pursuing a foreign policy that was established by President Raul Khadzhimba.
Commenting on Georgia’s reaction to recognition of Abkhazia by Syria and initiation of termination of the diplomatic relations with Syria, Kove said: “This once again confirms that Georgia spares no effort to isolate Abkhazia from the world community and block any of its contacts with the outer world.”
As the minister informed, the first step in establishing the diplomatic relations will be a meeting of the Abkhaz and Syrian presidents that is expected to take place soon. An interstate agreement is to be signed at the meeting.
“Abkhazia, like Syria, is under serious pressure from a part of the international community represented by the Western coalition led by the US. So, I do not think our position can become more negative. We are building the relations with those countries that are ready to do it as equals. We are lucky to have Syria as such a partner, a big country with large economic and strategic potential,” said Irakli Tuzhba, assistant foreign minister of Abkhazia.
As EADaily reported earlier, on May 29, Syria recognized Abkhazia’s sovereignty and independence. Ten years ago Russia recognized independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The republics were recognized by Nicaragua, Venezuela and some Pacific states.