Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that Russia is ready to
increase financial support for Abkhazia. Over 10 billion rubles have
been provided, he told Abkhaz Prime Minister Sergey Shamba.
Putin took part in the funeral of Abkhaz President Sergey Bagapsh, who
died in Moscow on Sunday after lung surgery, aged 62.
Putin laid roses at the grave of Bagapsh at the city philarmonia, he
stayed at the grave for some time and made a bow to it. Then he
expressed his support and condolences to Bagapsh“s daughter and had a
conversation with his son.
Head of the Presidential Administration Sergey Naryshkin, Minister for
Regional Development Victor Basargin and Governor of Krasnodar
Territory Alexander Tkachyov were at the ceremony.
Leaders of Ingushetia Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Kabardino-Balkaria Arsen
Kanokov, North Ossetia Taymuraz Mamsurov, Karachay-Cherkessia Rashid
Temrezov, former Chechen President Alu Alkhanov, South Ossetian
President Eduard Kokoity and the head of TransDniestr Igor Smirnov
arrived for the funeral.
The procession will travel through the central streets of Sukhumi,
heading to the hometown of Bagapsh — Dzhgyarda.
The Abkhaz president died after lung surgery in Moscow on May 29.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took part in the mourning ceremonies
in Moscow. He expressed condolence to Abkhaz Vice-President Alexander
Ankvab, who is currently the acting president. Medvedev called Bagapsh
a true patriot of Abkhazia, who strengthened its independence and
socio-economic development.
Bagapsh had been in power since 2005 and won the presidential polls
twice. During his rule Abkhazia became independent, recognized by
Russia and a set of other states. Medvedev signed a decree on
recognition of independence on August 26, 2008. The two states
established diplomatic ties and mutual support agreements.
