|
|
|
| 30.04.200610:42 (GMT) | | Abkhaz and South Ossetian leaders Sergey Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoity, respectively, said on April 28 in Sukhumi that cooperation between the two regions is aimed at peace and is not directed against Georgia, Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reported. Kokoity and Bagapsh signed a protocol on exchange of notes on ratification of an “Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between Abkhaz and South Ossetian Republics” in Sukhumi. Kokoity was accompanied by breakaway region’s Foreign Minister Murad Jioyev, Chief of Security Service (KGB) Nikolai Dolgopolov and Deputy Defense Minister Ibragim Gaseev. The agreement which was signed by Bagapsh and Kokoity in the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali on September 19, 2005 and which was ratified by the Abkhaz and South Ossetian Parliaments in February, 2006, envisages mutual assistance in economic, political and humanitarian fields. “In case of emergence of threat to peace and stability or their violation in one of the states [Abkhazia and South Ossetia], parties immediately launch consultations for coordination of their actions aimed at preventing this kind of threat and at undertaking effective measures for providing peace and stability”, the agreement reads.At a joint news conference South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity said that military component of the agreement is of less importance and major focus should be made on economic and political cooperation. But he also added that South Ossetia will immediately provide assistance to Abkhazia in case of aggression from the Georgian side.He also said that Abkhazia and South Ossetia will further boost their military cooperation. “Military exercises on the territory of South Ossetia with the participation of the Abkhaz units is a prove of [this cooperation]. We will continue exercises of these kinds if necessary”. “Terrorist acts regularly carried out by the Georgian special services in the South Ossetian border areas, as well as border areas of Gali District of Abkhazia trigger us to find ways to fight this evil… Anti-terrorist center has been set up just recently in Abkhazia for this very same reason,” Sergey Bagapsh said. He said that South Ossetia is undertaking steps in this regard as well. | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
