SUKHUM. March 31 (Interfax) - Abkhazia's ex-prime minister and leader of the Revival party, Leonid Lakerbaya, said that the decision to enshrine the country's aspiration for independence was made in a popular referendum.
"The people of Abkhazia chose the path of independence. This is enshrined in the constitution of our republic and confirmed by a referendum. This is not to say that the wish of the people of Abkhazia to strengthen and develop the independence of their state means we do not appreciate our alliance with Russia," Lakerbaya told journalists in Sukhum on Thursday.
Russia is a strategic partner and ally and Abkhazia is grateful to it for providing security and assistance with economic development, he said.
Abkhazia also respects South Ossetia's desire to become part of Russia, he added.