12 Apr 2022 14:59

New Abkhaz parliament opens inaugural session

SUKHUM. April 12 (Interfax) - The 7th Abkhaz Parliament elected in March opened its inaugural session on Tuesday.

Lasha Ashuba was elected parliament speaker in a secret vote by all 33 deputies present at the inaugural session.

Abkhaz President Aslan Bzhania addressed the parliament and asked for the soonest processing of draft norms and bills he had earlier submitted for consideration.

Bzhania highlighted the need for adoption of amendments to the Abkhaz Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code and a bill on countering organized crime, which were submitted to the parliament in 2021.

The president described a stronger alliance and strategic partnership with Russia as a key area of activity of the Abkhaz executive and legislative authorities.

He also said that negotiations on liberalizing the Russian-Abkhaz border crossing procedure were in progress.

"Russian businesses are adjusting and reviewing logistic chains under the pressure of unprecedented sanctions," Bzhania said.

"In this context, large Russian suppliers may take a founded interest in our transit potential. All these issues should be addressed from the angle of economic feasibility and interests of the people of Abkhazia," he said.

The first round of Abkhaz parliamentary elections took place on March 12, 2022, and the second round followed on March 26.

The Abkhaz parliament is elected for five years.