Aslan Bzhania noted: “There was signed an Agreement on Alliance and Strategic Partnership between Abkhazia and Russia in November 2014. This agreement, in particular, says about the formation of a common social and economic space. It also notes that this will be implemented through the harmonization of the legislation of the Republic of Abkhazia and the legislation of the Russian Federation. These issues have been addressed over the years. On December 9, 2019, a draft Program for formation of a common social and economic space came from Russia to Prime Minister Valery Bganba. In the fall of 2019, there was held  a meeting of the Russian-Abkhaz intergovernmental commission, where the issue of the Program was raised. There were several points in the project that aroused increased interest and concern of our citizens. 

The old version of the program, which was received by the Parliament of Abkhazia, included the following clause: "Development and adoption of amendments to the Law of the Republic of Abkhazia dated August 11, 2017 No. 4478" On the electric power industry" in terms of canceling the provisions stipulating that transmission networks of the Republic of Abkhazia are state property and are not subject to privatization." In the approved Program, the wording has changed: "Development and adoption of regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Abkhazia regulating the attraction of investments from Russian companies in order to develop and modernize the power grid infrastructure and ensure energy security of the Republic of Abkhazia." It makes a difference. 

Also the first edition of the Program included a question on the sale of residential real estate to Russian citizens. The arguments of our allies are understandable and close to me, but I also understand the fears of our citizens. These fears are well-grounded, but I look forward to strengthening our law enforcement, disciplining ourselves and coming back to this issue later. I believe that if implemented correctly, taking into account world experience, this can benefit the economy of Abkhazia. So far, this issue is not raised within the framework of the approved Program. Nevertheless, this issue deserves a final decision on it that suits our public and the state. 

In general, the document is alive, it can be corrected and supplemented. There has been created a working group to implement this Program. We will increase the number of members of the working group. We will not hide anything, we will listen to the opinion of everyone who understands these things.” 

Bzhania noted that he understands a common social and economic space with Russia as a kind of the European Union, when, without prejudice to sovereignty and with borders, the countries created a single space. “It will be easier for such a union of countries to reflect global threats and defend national interests in the world arena,” President said.