Abkhazia's security, Russians' property rights to dominate talks in Moscow

MOSCOW, October 6 (Itar-Tass) -- Abkhazia's security and Russian
citizens' property rights in that country will dominate the agenda of the
talks between President Dmitry Medvedev and Abkhazian leader Alexander
Ankvab in Moscow on Thursday, October 6.
This is the first visit by Abkhazia's third president to Russia after
his election. Ankvab, 58, is making his first foreign trip 10 days after
his inauguration in Sukhum where Federation Council Chairman Valentina
Matviyenko invited him to visit Moscow.
"In the course of the visit, Medvedev and Ankvab are scheduled to meet
in a narrow format and with the delegations," a source in the Kremlin told
Itar-Tass. "The heads of states will consider the concrete aspects of
Russian-Abkhazian interaction, assistance to Abkhazia in the field of
security, socio-economic rebuilding, coordination in the international
arena. They will map out the ways of further development of bilateral
regions."
In his congratulatory message to Ankvab, Medvedev stressed that
Abkhazia can count on Moscow's help in the future. "Russia intends to
continue to provide all-round support and aid to the friendly Abkhazian
people in the field of state development and in the implementation of
socio-economic projects," the president said.
"The crucial priority is to ensure reliable security for Abkahzia. In
this context, the parties will discuss practical implementation of the
agreements on joint efforts in protecting Abkhazia's state border and the
unified Russian military base in the territory of the republic of
Abkhazia," the Kremlin said.
The parties are expected to discuss the restoration of Russian
citizens' property rights in Abkhazia. The two countries have set up a
special commission to ensure legitimate resolution of these issues.
The sides will exchange detailed views on foreign policy matters.
"Russia welcomes the process of the strengthening of Abkhazia's
international positions. Our countries cooperate closely and productively
within the framework of the Geneva discussions on stability and security
in Transcaucasia," the source said.
"In the course of the visit, it is planned to sign a number of
bilateral documents, such as an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation
in the protection and rational use of cross-border water basins. As of
today, the legislative basis of our relations comprises more than 60
agreements of various levels, and another 30 are in the works," the
Kremlin said.
"The new president of Abkhazia has confirmed his commitment to further
strengthening of strategic and allied relations with Russia in full
conformity with the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual
Assistance and other inter-state documents," the Russian official said.