Sergei Lavrov`s Visit in Abkhazia

On September 14, 2008, soon after the end of the 2008 Russia-Georgia August War, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov, visited Abkhazia. De facto leaders of Abkhazia, President Sergei Baghapsh, Speaker of Parliament, Nugzar Ashuba, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Shamba and other members of de facto government met Lavrov in Sokhumi airport.

After August 26, 2008 Russian recognition of the independence of Abkhazia, this was Lavrov’s first visit to Abkhazia. Prior to that, diplomatic relations was established between Russia and Abkhazia on September 9, 2008.

The main issues of negotiation with Lavrov were those related with establishing diplomatic relations, as well as the preparation of the Agreement on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. According to Lavrov’s statement “Russia and Abkhazia will have as much transparent relations, as there are between the member states of the European Union”.

During the visit Lavrov also went to the presumed location for the construction of the future Russian “Embassy” to Abkhazia. In Sokhumi, he also met the representative of UN Secretary General.

The main result of Lavrov’s visits to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region the day after was making statements regarding the signing of a basic agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in the nearest future. Lavrov also stated about signing a whole series of agreements in economic, social, military and maritime cooperation fields.

Lavrov’s first Abkhazian visit brought results in the diplomatic realm quite soon. On October 25, 2008, first “Ambassador” of Russia to Abkhazia, Semion Gregoriev, was appointed, who presented his letters of credence to Baghapsh on December 16, 2008. The “Embassy” of Russia to Abkhazia was officially established on February 9, 2009. On April 30, 2009, Gregoriev arrived to Sokhumi together with five co-workers and started his diplomatic work. Russian “Embassy” was temporarily placed in the former CIS peacekeeping forces headquarters, on the territory of Sukhumi sanatorium. The new “Embassy” building was opened on April 18, 2017, with the ceremony attended by Lavrov himself.