A meeting between Presidents of the Republic of South Ossetia and Republic of Abkhazia, Alan Gagloev and Aslan Bzhania, took place in Sukhum in an expanded format.
Aslan Bzhania greeted Alan Gagloev and the delegation from South Ossetia, noting the significance of the relationship between the two fraternal peoples.
“On behalf of the entire people of Abkhazia, I want to express my gratitude to you for being here. Your presence in Abkhazia on this special, festive day has good reasons and grounds. The nature of the relationship between our peoples is known to everyone: you are very dear and close to us, we rightfully call you our brothers. Therefore, I want to congratulate you on this holiday. Thank you for being there,” said Aslan Bzhania.
Alan Gagloev thanked Aslan Bzhania for the warm welcome.
“We consider it our duty to be close to the fraternal Abkhaz people. 30 years is a short period of time for history, but during these years fateful decisions were made for the people of Abkhazia. Today we are celebrating together the 30th anniversary of the Victory and Independence of Abkhazia. It is very significant, worthy and beautiful that the people took an active part in state events. All the events that have been taking place during these thirty years, peoples of Abkhazia and South Ossetia went through together, supporting each other, defending their independence together, and fairly and with dignity received recognition of independence from our strategic partner,” he said.
At the end of the meeting, Alan Gagloev wished Abkhazia and the entire fraternal people well-being, tranquility, peace and prosperity.
For the South Ossetian part, the meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Akhsar Dzhioev, Minister of Defense Marat Pavlov, Assistant to the President Alan Pliev and Ambassador of the Republic of South Ossetia to the Republic of Abkhazia Oleg Botsiev.
For the Abkhaz part – by Vice-President Badra Gunba, Head of the Presidential Evocative Office Abesalom Kvarchia and Minister of Foreign Affairs Inal Ardzinba.
On Saturday, Alan Gagloev and Aslan Bzhania laid flowers at the Memorial to the first President of the Republic of Abkhazia, Vladislav Ardzinba. The monument is located in the village of Lower Eshera.
The main event of the Victory and Independence Day was the military parade in Sukhum.
Parade crews and military equipment of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Russian Federation passed through Freedom Square. The parade was attended by the parade crew of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of South Ossetia.
There was also the opening of the bridge across the Basla River and a festive concert dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Victory Day and Independence of the Republic of Abkhazia.
