OREANDA-NEWS. December 14, 2009. The congratulatory message reads, in part: “That Abkhazian voters have placed their confidence in you shows that they support the policy of building an independent, democratic and rule-of-law state, strengthening its security, and restoring its economic potential.

Russian-Abkhazian relations have received a major new boost to development today and have reached a new level.

I am sure that our tradition of mutually beneficial friendly and constructive contact and cooperation will continue to expand and develop for the good of both countries and in the interests of peace and stability in the Trans-Caucasus region.”