SUKHUMI. July 7 (Interfax) - Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh has praised Russia as a guarantor of security and stability in the region.
"When Georgia, with support from some Western countries, committed another act of aggression, only Russia could prevent a humanitarian disaster rapidly looming in the South Caucasus," Bagapsh said in an annual address to the parliament dealing with key aspects of Abkhazia's domestic and foreign policy.
"By doing so, Russia confirmed that it is a real guarantor of security and stability in the region today. We strongly support this policy, as it meets our interests," Bagapsh said.
Russian troops have not occupied Abkhazia but have been deployed in the republic under an Abkhaz-Russian treaty to guarantee security and stability in the region, Bagapsh said.
"The parliament and non-governmental organizations should respond to statements like the one made by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who called the presence of Russian troops in Abkhazia an occupation," he said.
"Therefore, the strengthening and broadening of mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia is the first priority today," he said.
Bagapsh described relations between Abkhazia and Russia as "partner-like, mutually advantageous, legal, intergovernmental, and based on a combination of each country's national interests."
"The renewal of the country's political and socioeconomic life, which started two years ago, is continuing. We will be consistently stepping up this process in the coming years as well. We have all the necessary resources and conditions for this," he said.