At a meeting with the activists of the Gulripshi district on September 8, Abkhazian de-facto Foreign Minister Inal Ardzinba dwelt on the development of economic ties between Russia and Georgia.

"Today, the trade turnover between them is 2.5 billion dollars. Considering the launch of air communication and a visa-free regime, how much will it be tomorrow? All this will significantly affect us and our foreign policy. We must be competitive, otherwise, we will be on the margins of geopolitics," he said.

Ardzinba noted that the Georgian diaspora in Russia is actively working to promote Georgia's humanitarian, economic, and political interests in Russia. "We must not lose this competition. For this purpose, working efficiently, coherently, and dynamically is necessary. We have no right to low competitiveness. Once again, we are at a historical fork in the road. Today, it is decided what our state will be tomorrow," the minister emphasized.

"Diplomacy is a two-way road. It is necessary to observe the balance of interests and the fundamental diplomatic principle of reciprocity," Ardzinba said. He talked about missed opportunities in the context of the issue of creating a full-fledged joint grouping of troops of the armed forces of Abkhazia and Russia. The minister also said that information supporting the consideration of the issue of the Pitsunda state dacha has damaged the Abkhaz-Russian dialog. "Proper patriotism should be filled with qualitative content. It is, first of all, deeds and results, reasonable analysis, correct conclusions, and decisions. Emotions throwback, exalt our enemies," he emphasized.

Ardzinba said that modernization of the economy, army, and social sphere are issues that require immediate solutions, as the collective West is trying to destroy the security system in the South Caucasus. "We should think about new sources of economic growth. This is an issue the head of state keeps under his personal control daily. The head of state should be supported," Ardzinba urged.