A group of Abkhaz journalists has called in a joint statement for live televised debates between candidates running in the early election of president of the breakaway region set for August 26, Abkhaz news agency, Apsnipress, reported.

About two dozen of journalists from various local media outlets said efforts should be made “to make elections maximally open and democratic through providing level playing field for all candidates.”

In the joint statement journalists said that in addition to debates on the state television, candidates should be open for speaking with media through news conference on some of the most pressing questions, including those which had recently triggered controversy in relationship with Russia, including, among others, on the issue of border dispute.