Abkhaz leader, Sergey Bagapsh, will be inaugurated on February 12 as president of the breakaway region, two months after he was re-elected for the second term with up to 60% of votes.

Authorities in breakaway Abkhazia say that foreign guests participating in the inauguration ceremony in Sokhumi include Sergey Mironov, chairman of Russia’s upper house of the Parliament, Council of Federation; Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, as well as heads and governors of Russia’s southern provinces and officials from Venezuela and Nicaragua – the two countries, which along with Russia and Nauru have recognized Abkhazia.

According to the Abkhaz and Russia media reports, following the inauguration changes in the breakaway region’s cabinet are anticipated. Sergey Shamba, a long-time foreign minister, is likely to be appointed as prime minister.

Alexander Ankvab, a former prime minister of the breakaway region, was Bagapsh running mate for the vice presidential post.

Shamba, who held the post of the foreign minister since 1997, will be replaced by his deputy Maxim Gvinjia. The latter is one of the Abkhaz negotiators participating in the Geneva talks.