Tiraspol, 28 September. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Pridnestrovian President Vadim Krasnoselsky and his Abkhazian colleague, Raul Khadzhimba, held a meeting today in Sukhum. Following the official introduction of the members of the delegations, the two leaders outlined the points of contact between the countries, the press service of the Pridnestrovian president reports.
In a welcoming speech, Khadzhimba noted that the peoples of Abkhazia and Pridnestrovie had a similar history with strong friendly relations formed between the countries.
"We have gone through a dificult way of establishment. Thousands of lives of our sons have been put on the altar of the victory and state building. But despite all the difficulties put in our way then and today, we are continuing to build our statehood. The first state relations between Abkhazia and Pridnestrovie were established in January 1993 by signing the treaty of friendship and cooperation. Subsequently, in 2006, Abkhazia, Pridnestrovie and South Osetia have created the international association "Community for Democracy and the Rights of Peoples". We have formed strong friendly relations. We have been cooperating on many fronts. Despite all political, economic and logistic difficulties, the intensity of these relations keeps growing," said Khadzhimba.
He added that the following day a new treaty of friendship, cooperation and partnership would be signed which confirms the "mutual recognition of independence and sovereignty, laying the foundation for raising our relations to a qualitatively new level. The consistent implementation of the treaty would contribute to improving the level of our relations and the quality of life of our peoples."
The Abkhazian leader expressed the hope that the Abkhazian-Pridnestrovian relations would continue to develop.
Vadim Krasnoselsky, in turn, thanked him for the invitation to Abkhazia and for the opportunity to touch upon the statehood, culture and traditions of Abkhazia.
"I am deeply convinced that your independence is based on tradition, the age-old essence and the feat of your people. You have rightly said that the Abkhazian and Pridnestrovian peoples have a lot in common: we have not lost ourselves as a result of the geopolitical disaster called the collapse of the Soviet Union. You chose the way of preserving yourselves as a people, did not want to dissolve on the political map of the world and won because it was impossible to break, intimidate and destroy the people. Today you are an independent state. It is the independence and recognised status that guarantees your security," underscored the Pridnestrovian president.
According to Vadim Krasnoselsky, the treaty, which is due to be signed tomorrow, will help us to build bilateral relations in the spheres of economy, culture, as well as in other areas, and give new impetus to developing the contacts.
"I hope that relations between Pridnestrovie and Abkhazia will only grow stronger for the benefit of our nations," said Krasnoselsky.
Vadim Krasnoselsky awarded Raul Khadzhimba Prodnestrovie's Order of Honour for strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
After the presidents spoke tête-à-tête, the meeting continued in an expanded format. After that, the Pridnestrovain delegation, accompanied by their Abkhazian colleagues, had a walk along Sukhum's sea embankment, on which a complex of governmental buildings was erected in the 1960's. Their architecture reflects the history and spirit of the region.
At the end of the day, the Abkhazian president held a state reception in the honour of the Pridnestrovian leader.
