Alexander Vataman: friendship and cooperation treaty secures strategic partnership between Abkhazia and Pridnestrovie

Tiraspol, 23 January. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Today marks 24 years of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and the Republic of Abkhazia.

Back in1993 this document was signed by Chairman of the Supreme Council of Abkhazia Vladislav Ardzinba and Pridnestrovian President Igor Smirnov.

As the head of the Abkhazian mission in Pridnestrovie, Alexander Vataman, said in an interview, it is this document that has become the basis of trust relations between the states, securing strategic partnership.

«It was new kind of relations based on mutual respect, the observance of each other's interests. These interests met the needs of the peoples of Abkhazia and Pridnestrovie. This all formed the basis of the treaty," underscored Alexander Vataman.

According to Vataman, our countries have very much in common, including, first of all, history and traditions underlying their statehood.

«These are the important elements that helped us to survive the wars in Abkhazia and Pridnestrovie, to withstand the ordeals of the 90s when many wished to destroy the young republics. Despite all ill-wishers, Abkhazia and Pridnestrovie have walked together, building their inter-sate relations. And throughout the entire time, these relations have been at a high level," said Alexander Vataman.

The diplomat recalled that our countries are bound by over 30 various inter-state and inter-agency agreements in economic, humanitarian, law-enforcement and social spheres.

The period of 2004 — 2008 saw the closest cooperation between the sides. «There were interagency contacts in six-seven areas encompassing the spheres of legislation, security and foreign policy. This has already reached a new stage where representative offices were opened and active work began within the commonwealth For democracy and peoples' rights," noted Vataman.

The year 2016 alone saw the signing of the intergovernmental agreement «On mutual visa-free trips of the citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia and the citizens of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic», as well as the agreement «On mutual recognition and equivalence of education certificates and (or) qualification, academic degrees and titles». The economic departments of the Pridnestrovian and Abkhazian state universities have concluded an agreement within which PSU lecturers undertook an internship in Abkhazia.

Contacts between the parliaments of both countries are also at a high level.

«Parliamentarians of Abkhazia, Pridnestrovie and South Ossetia constantly hold joint plenary meetings within the Interparliamentary Assembly. In 2016 the chairmanship in this organisation was taken over by South Ossetia. Diplomatic missions in Tiraspol and Sukhum also do a great deal of work," noted Vataman.

But despite these achievements, there is still very much to do for both Pridnestrovian and Abkhazian sides, says the diplomat.

«I wish we talked about the development of economic contacts, financial and investment ties. We know such examples. Tirotex and MMZ cooperated with Abkhazia. But the Ukrainian events have suspended this cooperation. We hope the cooperation will resume," said Vataman.