Anatoly Bibilov and Raul Khajimba, July 7, 2017. Photo: presidentofabkhazia.org

Raul Khajimba and Anatoly Bibilov, leaders of Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions, gathered in Sokhumi on July 7-8 to discuss political and economic cooperation between the two territories.

Anatoly Bibilov, accompanied by a six-member delegation from Tskhinvali, held a meeting with the Abkhaz leader Raul Khajimba on July 7. 

In their opening statements before his meeting, Khajimba and Bibilov emphasized that the two peoples share “centuries-old” friendship and stressed the importance of further cooperation in the cultural, humanitarian and economic fields.

Speaking at the joint press conference after the meeting, the two reiterated that the space for cooperation is wide and that it needs to be fully utilized. 

“There are questions related to economy, though many people say that the logistics [between Abkhazia and South Ossetia] are not the best, there is enough room for maneuver where we can cooperate closely: cultural and humanitarian affairs,” Khajimba told reporters. 

Speaking on political cooperation, Anatoly Bibilov emphasized that Sokhumi and Tskhinvali act in “common front” in the Geneva International Discussions.

“We have similar history and similar understanding of the problem, similar pain that we [both] suffered … Therefore, I believe that our cooperation will be more active,” Bibilov said.

The two spoke on their relations with the Russian Federation as well, with Anatoly Bibilov underlining Russia’s ongoing efforts to increase the number of states recognizing the two regions, which is currently limited to Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Nauru only.

“The sides stressed the high importance of the alliance and partnership of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of South Ossetia with the Russian Federation with respect to regional stability and security, social and economic development and strengthening of the international positions of the two states,” reads the joint statement published after the meeting.

Speaking on the matter at the press conference, Bibilov said that Moscow, Sokhumi and Tskhinvali “are holding joint consultations, and work is underway to increase the number of countries that have recognized us.”

As part of the South Ossetian leader’s Abkhazia trip, the foreign ministries and the public chambers of Sokhumi and Tskhinvali signed cooperation agreements, with the former sealing the “plan of consultations for 2017-2018.” 

According to Bibilov, following his Abkhazia visit, he is planning to go to North Caucasus, as well as to Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine. Bibilov also invited Raul Khajimba to visit Tskhinvali, which he accepted.