Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia addressed the Syrian people
Inal Ardzinba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia.
SUKHUM / AQW'A ― The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, Inal Ardzinba, addressed the Syrian people in connection with the devastating earthquake that occurred on February 6.
The Foreign Minister spoke on behalf of the Abkhazian people, expressing sympathy for the victims of the earthquake and their families.
"With deep sadness, we received the news of the devastating earthquake in Syria. We saw a huge number of victims and wounded. We follow the news and look for ways to support the brotherly people," he said.
The minister note that the President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhaniya, directed the appropriate authorities to provide humanitarian aid and arrange the rehabilitation of Syrian children in Abkhazia following a phone conversation with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
Following the onset of a natural disaster, both the general public and various organisations in the republic started raising funds. The Embassy of Abkhazia in Damascus also expressed its willingness to extend all possible aid to those affected by the calamity. The head of the diplomatic department also mentioned exploring the option of relocating Abkhaz diaspora members affected by the disaster in Syria to Abkhazia, and how some families in Abkhazia have expressed interest in adopting orphaned children.
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However, this process requires studying and working on the relevant legislative framework. Ardzinba, in addition, noted the presence of double standards on the part of the West during this tragic event, as they refuse to offer help to Syria for political reasons, even though such natural disasters should be excluded from all politics.
"Abkhazia attaches great importance to relations with the fraternal republic, and today these relations are rapidly expanding", Ardzinba stressed.
The Foreign Minister noted that Abkhazia is ready to strengthen humanitarian and cultural ties, as well as trade and economic cooperation between the countries.
"Relations between our peoples have a deep historical foundation - Syria became home to thousands of Abkhazians who were resettled in the 19th century. Many of them became influential political, cultural, and military figures, such as General Mamdukh Abaza, General Walid Abaza, doctor Ahmad Kujba, and member of the People's Council of Syria Janset Kazanba. All of them were well-known citizens of both the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Abkhazia," Ardzinba said.
The Turkey-Syria earthquakes have claimed the lives of almost 42,000 people, according to recent reports. Turkish authorities have confirmed that 36,187 individuals lost their lives in Turkey, while the Syrian government and the United Nations have reported that over 5,800 people died in Syria.