STEPANAKERT—President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakian congratulated newly elected president of Abkhazia Raul Khadjimba in a public statement released on Monday.
“On behalf of the government and people of the Artsakh Republic and myself, I cordially congratulate you on the victory gained in the presidential elections and on being elected the President of the Republic of Abkhazia,” President Sahakian’s statement said.
“Nagorno Karabakh attaches great importance to strengthening ties with Abkhazia and we hope that during your presidency the relations between our countries will come to an even higher level. Please, accept once again my heartfelt congratulations on being elected to this high and responsible post. I wish you good luck and successes in all your undertakings directed to secure peace and prosperity for the fraternal Abkhazia.”
Abkhazia is a de facto independent state bordering Georgia, which, much like Artsakh, declared and fought for independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The republic is unrecognized internationally except by other similar states, including Artsakh, and most recently Russia following the South Ossetian conflict of 2008.