The Abkhaz parliament has ratified a treaty on cooperation and friendship between Russia and the breakaway region, Russian news agencies reported on September 24.

The treaty was signed by Russian President Medvedev and secessionist leader Sergey Bagapsh in Moscow on September 17. A similar treaty was signed with breakaway South Ossetia.

Speaking in Parliament on September 24, Bagapsh reiterated that Russia would have two military bases in the region, one in Gudauta and the other – in Ochamchire.

“The Russian army will have as many soldiers on Abkhaz territory as is necessary for the security of our republic,” Interfax news agency quoted Bagapsh as saying.