At a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 4, Aslan Bzhania, the de-facto President of the separatist Abkhazia, noted the importance of the agreement on dual citizenship, as well as the participation of Abkhazia in integration associations in the post-Soviet space.

"Thanks to joint efforts, a document was recently adopted that allows citizens of Abkhazia to acquire Russian citizenship in a simplified form. We want and will follow the agreements spelled out in our fundamental documents. We want to participate in the integration processes initiated by the Russian side, with the participation of Russia, because this corresponds to the fundamental interests of Abkhazia," Bzhania added.

"The situation is generally developing well; our trade turnover increased by 73% over the past year. Sixty-four regions of the Russian Federation maintain relations with the Republic of Abkhazia in very different areas. More than 200 joint ventures operate," Putin noted.