Chairman of the RA State Committee for Repatriation Vadim Kharazia, member of the Supreme Council of the World Abaza Congress Akhmet Khapat and Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Abkhazia in the Republic of Turkey Ibrahim Avidzba also answered the journalists' questions.
The leadership of Abkhazfed held a number of important meetings during the visit to Abkhazia, said Ibrahim Avidzba.
“We met with the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Security Service, as well as with the State Committee for Repatriation. We have come to discuss the problems of our compatriots living in Turkey, as well as those who have moved for a permanent place of residence to their historical homeland. The most important issue for our compatriots is the issue of unhindered travel to Abkhazia. We are working to make this possible, to make sea passenger communication between Abkhazia and Turkey possible. Negotiations in this direction are also being held in Russia and Turkey,” he said.
Another important issue is the receipt of Abkhazian passports by compatriots living in Turkey. The presence of these documents will allow people to come to Abkhazia through Russia without visas.
“We appealed to the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service in order to expedite the issuance of passports as much as possible. Priority steps have also been identified,” Avidzba said.
Another issue of concern is the sending of Abkhaz language teachers to Turkey.
“We discussed this issue at the Abkhaz State University. We were promised to send several teachers,” Avidzba said.
He noted with satisfaction that in recent years the Abkhaz language has been offered as one of the subjects for study at the most famous Turkish university - the Bosphorus University.
According to Avidzba, many Abkhaz compatriots living in Turkey would like to do business in Abkhazia and invest in the republic.
“There are financial issues that need to be addressed. This concerns cooperation between Abkhazian and Turkish banks. Work is also underway in this direction,” Avidzba said.
According to Avidzba, the Turkish Maarifa Foundation wants to open a college in Abkhazia. They plan to discuss this issue in the Ministry of Education of Abkhazia.
“If they are given the go-ahead, they are ready to come and build an educational institution at their own expense,” said Abkhazia's plenipotentiary in Turkey.
For his part, Murat Makhariya said that he was glad to return to Abkhazia.
“Immediately after the elections ended as I was elected chairman of the Federation of Abkhaz Cultural Centers, my team and I decided to come to Abkhazia. We want to try to solve the problems of our compatriots, this is our main task. We have identified a number of the most important topics for ourselves. Fortunately, we were able to discuss them and come to an understanding. Now we know what further actions we need to take,” he said.
Ahmet Khapat noted the importance of interaction between the World Abaza Congress and the Federation of Abkhaz Cultural Centers in Turkey.
“We work closely together, we consult each other. If there is no mutual understanding, nothing will be achieved, we need to work together,” Khapat said.
He also believes that if a referendum is held in Turkey to recognize the independence of Abkhazia, then about 80% will vote "for".
“Recognition of Abkhazia by Turkey is not far off. We see the mood of citizens, we talk with them and we know that this is possible,” Khapat said.
Vadim Kharazia suggested holding an economic forum in Turkey. “We need to make sure that our fellow businessmen pay attention to Abkhazia. We need help in development of our state."