OREANDA-NEWS. The fifth president of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, who took office on April 23, called the strengthening and development of cooperation with Russia a priority area of ​​the republic’s foreign policy. Moscow was the first to recognize Abkhazia on August 26, 2008 and establish diplomatic relations with it.

“Strengthening and developing comprehensive cooperation with our main ally and strategic partner, the Russian Federation, has been and remains be a priority area of ​​Abkhazia’s foreign policy. In accordance with the agreements, we will conduct more intensive work with fraternal Russia on all aspects of bilateral, equal, mutually beneficial cooperation,” the President stated, speaking at the inauguration ceremony.

Bzhania won the presidential election on March 22, gaining 56.5 % of the votes. The inauguration for the first time was held without the participation of foreign guests due to the coronavirus epidemic.