- What is being done by the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the issue of promoting the international recognition of Abkhazia's independence?

- The work to promote international recognition is a long, complex process that involves the use of various tools and mechanisms to achieve the desired result. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs certainly plays a central role in this process. But at the same time, efforts to achieve recognition are not limited by activities of foreign policy department. This foreign policy direction presupposes a wide range of actions of a political, diplomatic, cultural, humanitarian and informational character, the specific details of which we cannot make public. When it comes to achieving international recognition, one should not expect a momentary effect or guess which next country can recognize the sovereignty of Abkhazia. We need to work hard and purposefully and the result will definitely show up.

- What are the prospects for recognition of Abkhazia's independence by other countries?

- There cannot be a simple and unambiguous answer. The prospects for the recognition of Abkhazia depend on a number of factors, the significance of which may vary. First of all, it is necessary to take into account the existing international situation and the purposeful policy of Georgia on the full-scale isolation of Abkhazia from the outside world. It is necessary to realize clearly that the efforts undertaken by us and our allies are encountering tough opposition from the Georgian side, which is following almost every step of Abkhazian representatives abroad with maniacal persistence. At the same time, Georgia enjoys the patronage of the US and the EU, which lobby for Tbilisi's interests in various international structures, not considering it necessary to listen to the opinion of the Republic of Abkhazia. Nevertheless, we will continue to consistently pursue a course towards breaking through the information vacuum, disseminating objective information about Abkhazia, and will make efforts to establish new contacts in various regions of the world.

- How are relations between the foreign ministries of Abkhazia and Russia developing?

- I can say with full confidence that a very trusting, warm, working relationship has developed between the foreign affairs agencies of our countries. We are in constant contact with our Russian colleagues, we check our the most pressing problems of the regional agenda, we hold regular consultations within the framework of the mechanism of foreign policy coordination, and we outline plans for the future.

- In May 2018, Syria recognized the state sovereignty of Abkhazia. How do you assess the relationship between the Republic of Abkhazia and the Syrian Arab Republic? What exactly is being done to develop Syrian-Abkhaz cooperation?

- I think that Abkhaz-Syrian relations have significant potential. Let me remind you that there have already been signed a number of agreements between our countries, including a basic agreement on friendship and cooperation, as well as an agreement in the field of trade and economic interaction. Recently, the Ambassador of the Republic of Abkhazia to the Syrian Arab Republic officially took office. We are ready to intensify bilateral relations in all the most urgent areas. But it should also be borne in mind that today Syria, as we know, is in a very difficult situation, the armed conflict is still not over, government forces are fighting to suppress terrorist centers in the country. But any military conflict sooner or later ends in peace. We very much hope that the current government in Damascus will successfully cope with the existing challenges and put the Syrian Republic on the path of peaceful development, which, in turn, will serve as an additional incentive for intensifying bilateral Abkhaz-Syrian cooperation.

- From time to time there are voiced opinions in our society about the futility of the Geneva discussions on stability and security in the Transcaucasus. Some even agree to the point that it is necessary to stop the participation of the Abkhaz delegation in them. What do you think about this? What do you consider to be an important achievement of these negotiations?

- No matter how you relate to the Geneva discussions, it must be admitted that today the Republic of Abkhazia is represented in the outside world only within this format. There is no other negotiating mechanism yet. Any post-conflict negotiation process is almost always a long exhausting marathon that can last for decades. By participating in the Geneva Discussions, our country does not compromise on anything. On the contrary, we have the opportunity to talk on equal terms with representatives of the United States, the European Union, the OSCE and other discussions participants. This is a constant channel of communication with the outside world, which we need to use as efficiently as possible.

- What would you wish the people of Abkhazia on the eve of the Day of International Recognition of the Republic's Independence?

- The people of the Republic of Abkhazia have a decent future. There are necessary conditions for this. We live on a fertile land. You just need to remember that you can hardly achieve anything without creative work. Together we must purposefully build the road to this better future.