The President of the Republic of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity has sent the telegram with his condolences to the Vice President of the Republic of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab on the death of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh. In the telegram, in particular, is said:"We have perceived with pain in heart and with inescapable feeling of loss the tragic news about untimely death of the prominent son of the Abkhazian people Sergey Vasilievich Bagapsh. A man who honestly did his duty before his Native land, a man who lived with dignity and courage, has left this world today. Great erudition, superior intellect and exclusive management abilities of Sergey Vasilievich always promoted the welfare of his nation; many recent achievements of Abkhazia in a certain degree are connected with his name.
Having headed the republic in the complicated period of its formation, Sergey Vasilievich became a recognized leader of the nation, and won the recognition and love of his compatriots by rights. His decisiveness, hard and principle position on key questions of the internal and external policy, readiness to defend the interests of the Abkhazian state have noticeably raised the prestige of the fraternal country, which plays more significant and weighty role in the present-day world. The long-sighted politician and statesman Sergey Vasilievich has made inestimable contribution in socio-economic and cultural development of his native land; and the acknowledgment of the independence of Abkhazia by the world community has become the apotheosis of his foreign-policy activity. The contribution of Sergey Vasilievich in the cause of regional safety, development of mutually beneficial and good-neighborly relations between the Caucasian people is invaluable. Sergey Vasilievich was a great friend of South Ossetia. He has repeatedly visited Tskhinval and has felt himself the love and respect of the people of our republic. I was in brotherly relations with Sergey Vasilievich, which I had valued and was proud of very much. No one else had such ability to give hope, support and faith. In the person of Sergey Vasilievich I have lost a senior comrade, an adherent and a faithful ally. With the death of Sergey Vasilievich the whole epoch has become a thing of the past; and being its bright and unforgettable symbol, he will remain in the hearts of hundreds of thousands people, inspired by the warmth of his heart, forever. Mourning and sharing the pain of bitter and irreparable loss, on behalf of the leadership and on behalf of the people of the Republic of South Ossetia and for myself personally I express the sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sergey Vasilievich Bagapsh, to the whole Abkhazian nation".
