President of Syria Meets de Facto President of Abkhazia, Reinstates Syria’s Support For Republic’s Sovereignty

On May 17, de facto president of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania arrived in Damascus on an official visit, and earlier today he held a meeting with President of Syria Bashar Assad. During the meeting, President Assad reaffirmed Syria’s unwavering support for the sovereignty of Abkhazia and underscored the importance of Bzhania’s visit, which, according to him, will provide a new impulse to the partnership between the two countries in various different fields.

In turn, Bzhania thanked President Assad for recognizing the independence of the Republic of Abkhazia and establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries:

“This is our first meeting, which is why I would like to personally thank you for recognizing the independence of the Republic of Abkhazia and establish diplomatic ties with it, your decision is of historical significance to us. I am confident that the relationship between our countries will continue to develop and grow stronger in the future,” President Bzhania stated.

The de facto leader of Abkhazia added that he admires the courage of President Assad and the heroism of the Syrian people “in their struggle for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their country.”

Following the meeting with Assad, Bzhania said that the two leaders discussed the possibility of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, economy, and tourism. Bzhania also emphasized that the sizeable Cherkess and Abkhaz diasporas which currently reside in Syria will facilitate the strengthening of intercultural ties between the countries.

Syria recognized the independence of Abkhazia in 2018, along with Venezuela, Nicaragua, Russia, and Nauru, after the opening of the Abkhazian embassy in Damascus, and Syria’s decision was later condemned by the UN General Assembly in May 2018. Bzhania was elected one year ago in early presidential elections held following the political crisis that escalated in the country in 2020.