Foreign Minister Viacheslav Chirikba's visit to Turkey

From 10 to 15 February 2015, was held a working visit of the Abkhazian delegation composed of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia V.A. Chirikba, representative of the initiative group to promote the interests of the Republic of Abkhazia in Turkey and the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Abkhazia in the Turkish Republic Inar Gitsba to the capital of the Republic of Turkey Ankara.

During the visit meetings of humanitarian, economic and political nature were held.

On February 11, the Foreign Minister V.A. Chirikba together with Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Abkhazia in the Turkish Republic Inar Gitsba visited the Embassy of the Russian Federation, where they had a friendly conversation with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in Turkey A.G. Karlov. They talked about the prospects of Russian-Abkhaz and Russian-Turkish and Abkhaz-Turkish relations.

On the same day the Foreign Minister Viacheslav Chirikba met with the Chairman of the Board of clinics Koru Hospitals (large network of private clinics in Ankara), Mr. Hasan Biri. They discussed issues of creation of a diagnostic center equipped with modern diagnostic equipment in Abkhazia. In addition, the possibility of signing an agreement on cooperation between the medical institutions of the Republic of Abkhazia and Koru Hospitals, under which it will be possible to have remote diagnosis of patients, as well as conducting education and training for medical staff, were discussed. At the end of the meeting was signed a protocol of intent, which involves the provision of health care services between ERER SAGLIK VE EGITIM KURUMLARI and the Republic of Abkhazia, according to which Koru Hospitals is committed to provide a 20 percent discount to patients who are nationals of the Republic of Abkhazia.

On February 12 was held a meeting with the mayor of a large area of Ankara - Gölbaşı, Mr. Fatih Duruay. During a friendly conversation were discussed prospects of development of the Abkhaz-Turkish relations, as well as the possibility of establishing partnership relations between the municipality and the administration of Gölbaşı with one of the cities of Abkhazia.

Then, in the building of the Parliament of Turkey was held a meeting with a number of deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party. During the meeting Turkish parliamentarians expressed interest in the personal acquaintance with Abkhazia.

On February 13 was held a number of meetings with representatives of the industrial and economic organizations in Turkey, in particular, with the Secretary General of the Industrial Chamber of Ankara Mr. Yavuz Cabbar, President of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture Şemsi Bayraktar, as well as with the leadership of ILCI Holding specializing in the construction, coal mining, agriculture and hydropower. At the meeting, the Ministers raised questions about the prospects for the creation of the Turkish-Abkhazian Chamber of Commerce, as well as organization of regular fairs of Abkhazian and Turkish goods. The Minister told Turkish businessmen about the economic potential of the Republic, its water resources, energy, profitability of investments in the tourist business and manufacturing industry. The Minister also noted that Abkhazia may be a convenient transit corridor for the export of Turkish goods to Russia. Turkish businessmen have expressed great interest in investing in the economy of Abkhazia, in its tourism, agricultural, industrial, energy and other sectors. Of particular interest was the project of the Transcaucasian railway and highway from Abkhazia to the North Caucasus.

On the same day at the headquarters of the ruling Justice and Development Party was held a meeting with the Deputy Chairman of the Party (responsible for international relations), Mr. Yasin Aktay. The meeting was attended by the member of Parliament from the ruling party in Turkey Muhittin Aksak. During the conversation were touched various aspects of the Abkhaz-Turkish relations. The Minister, in particular, raised the issue of recognition of Abkhaz passports by Turkey and opening the passenger sea links between Turkey and Abkhazia, as well as attracting Turkish investments in Abkhazia. A number of other issues were raised. Deputy chairman of the party expressed interest in the establishment of economic and humanitarian ties between Turkey and Abkhazia, citing the presence of a representative of unrecognized by Turkey Taiwan in Ankara. On the same day, the Abkhaz delegation received a message on the principle consent to open a trade mission of the Republic of Abkhazia in Ankara.