Sergey Shamba: "Challenging Times Require Serious, Measured Steps"

SUKHUM / AQW'A — Vice President Badra Gunba has introduced the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Shamba, to the ministry staff.

Gunba congratulated Shamba on his appointment, highlighting his extensive experience of over 13 years leading the ministry, which had made him a well-known and respected figure. "Shamba has made significant contributions to the establishment and development of our state, both as a participant in the national liberation movement and in the post-war period. His diplomacy, professionalism, and experience have always been invaluable to our country," Gunba stated.

Sergey Shamba expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him. "I have indeed worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a long time. Our young Abkhaz diplomacy was shaped through contact and cooperation with great diplomatic schools such as the Russian, British, German, American, and French, and through interaction with international organisations. Those were different, difficult, and complex times. Now, in equally challenging times, the world system is being restructured, and Abkhazia is part of this process," Shamba noted.

These challenging times require serious, measured steps. Even a small mistake can cause significant harm. We live in an era of global changes, and the restructuring of the world system always carries the risk of global upheavals.

 —  Sergey Shamba

In a related move, President Aslan Bzhania introduced Raul Lolua as the new Secretary of the Security Council following the signing of his appointment decree on 6 August. During the introduction, Bzhania took the opportunity to thank Sergey Shamba, the newly appointed Foreign Minister, for his previous work in the Security Council and wished him success in his new role.

In his remarks, Sergey Shamba stressed the changing global situation and the need for new approaches. "We must evaluate the real situation developing in the world and around us. I also want to thank the Security Council staff. It is a small team, but during our time working together, I have seen that these are professional, diligent, and honest people who perform their duties with integrity. I have always trusted their work. I want to tell Raul Lolua that now, with the latest appointments, we will further strengthen this body. There are indeed opportunities to enhance our work further," Shamba said.

He expressed his gratitude to all members of the Security Council. "These challenging times require serious, measured steps. Even a small mistake can cause significant harm. We live in an era of global changes, and the restructuring of the world system always carries the risk of global upheavals. We need to choose the right path. Our alliance with a great power provides additional guarantees of our security. However, we must also conduct honest and correct policies towards our ally and the world around us," Shamba added.

On August 6th, President Aslan Bzhania appointed Sergey Shamba as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, marking his return to a position he has held twice before. On the same day, Raul Lolua was named the new Secretary of the Security Council, succeeding Shamba in this critical role.