Aleksey Dvinianin, “Ambassador“ of the Russian Federation to Abkhazia, in an interview with Russian News Agency “RIA Novosti“ talked about Russia-Abkhazia relations. During the interview Dvinianin emphasized several important issues:

• Russia-Abkhazia relation is developing, turnover and the number of signed agreements (130) are increasing.
• 80% of population of de facto Republic of Abkhazia have been issued Russian Passports.
• Agreements signed between Abkhazia and Russia act as buffer between Russia-Abkhazia and Georgia and in case if Tbilisi becomes NATO member in future, we have created significant groupings of force and other means in Abkhazia. The Russian border guards protect de facto border of Abkhazia with Georgia, which means that practically everything is resolved in terms of security.
• In addition to the recent killing of two Russian citizens in Abkhazia, raid attacks on Russian citizens’ property, especially on the Black Sea coast, took place. De facto government of Abkhazia is doing all the best to improve criminal situation, however we can’t even talk on fundamental changes yet.
• At this stage the Demarcation and Delimitation State Commission of Russia-Abkhazia is suspended. Referring small section of the border near the settlement of Aibga. If will be political will, the problem might be solved easily. However, since the land border issue cannot be resolved, Russia suggests Abkhazia to conduct sea space demarcation first.
• Agreement draft on dual citizenship was submitted to Abkhazian side on March 19. Signing of this agreement will allow Russian citizens, who are permanently residing on the territory of Abkhazia, to receive pensions and additional social rights and guarantees existing in Russia.
• Russian side does not consider creation of new format substituting Geneva format.