The de facto President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania commented on the statement from the de facto President of Georgia’s separatist region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) Anatoly Bibilov that the region intends to hold a referendum on joining Russia. Bzhania shared Abkhazia’s position on this issue.

“Sovereign independent Abkhazia is building and will continue to build relations with fraternal allied Russia in strict accordance with the Treaty of November 24, 2014, which contains the following provisions: conducting a coordinated foreign policy; creation of a common space for defence and security; formation of a common social and economic space; assistance to the socio-economic development of the Republic of Abkhazia; creation of conditions for the full participation of the Republic of Abkhazia in the integration processes in the post-Soviet space, implemented on the initiative and with the assistance of the Russian Federation,” said the de-facto President of Abkhazia.

“Firstly, our constitution and legislation do not allow, and there are no such sentiments in society. We paid a heavy price for independence, this is the result of a long struggle of our people for several generations, so this issue is not discussed in our circles - in political and public. I do not know of such a political force in Abkhazia, parties or social movements that would proceed from such a possibility, renunciation of independence. There are no such political forces,” Security Council Secretary Sergei Shamba emphasised. 

The de-facto Speaker of the Parliament of Abkhazia, Valery Kvarchia, also stated that the issue of Abkhazia joining Russia is not on the agenda. “The Constitution of Abkhazia absolutely, clearly proclaims our country an independent state,” Kvarchia underscored.

The statement of RSO President Anatoly Bibilov on March 30 on the preparation of a referendum on the entry of South Ossetia into Russia was supported by some Russian senators and deputies, the head of Crimea. They stated that South Ossetia has every legal basis for holding such a referendum. Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs Leonid Kalashnikov, commenting on Bibilov's statement, also mentioned Abkhazia.

“South Ossetia and Abkhazia have the right to hold a referendum. Now is the right time to carry out all the procedures,” he said.