Abkhaz president, Russian Security Council deputy sec discuss security cooperation
SUKHUM. Aug 20 (Interfax) - Abkhazia and Russia are strengthening their security cooperation, Abkhaz President Raul Khadjimba said at a meeting with Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council Rashid Nurgaliyev in Sukhum on Monday, according to the Abkhaz presidential press service.
"The intensity of cooperation between Abkhazia and Russia in many areas, including security and the economy, is increasing. One cannot fail to notice that the situation on the Abkhaz-Georgian state border along the Ingur River has completely changed. Reinforcing the state border is one of the priority issues of national security, and there is no alternative to this path," Khadjimba's press service quoted him as saying.
Nurgaliyev, in turn, said that the sides' strategic partnership is aimed at the robust development of Russia and Abkhazia and congratulated Khadjimba on the upcoming Day of the International Recognition of Abkhazia's Independence.
"Economy, security, and the humanitarian space, all of this taken together, once again confirms how close to each other our countries are. August 26 will be an important date and a major holiday. I would like to congratulate you and your people on this holiday, wish you health, luck, and friendly ties," Nurgaliyev said.
Secretary of the Abkhaz Security Council Mukhamed Kilba and Russian Ambassador to Sukhum Alexei Dvinyanin also took part in the meeting, the press service reported.