Day of International Recognition of Independence of the Republic of Abkhazia (26/08)

On August 26, Abkhazia celebrates the important holiday — Day of International Recognition of the Independence of the Republic.

The date August 26, 2008 has entered modern world history as the day the Republic of Abkhazia gained long-awaited independence, the day when historical justice finally triumphed.

Abkhazia declared its independence back in the early 1990s — after the war with Georgia (1992—1993). However, this fact did not cause a wide international resonance, and until the second half of the 2000s Abkhazia was not recognized as an independent state. The situation changed dramatically in August 2008, when Georgian troops attacked South Ossetia and destroyed part of its capital Tskhinvali. After this conflict, South Ossetia and Abkhazia turned to Russia with a request to recognize their independence from Georgia.

At the beginning of the fourth hour on August 26, 2008, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced the signing of Decrees recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In an interview with one of the central television channels of Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said: «We thought first of all about saving people».

The first thing Sukhum (the capital of Abkhazia) did when he received the news of recognition as independent, he stopped working. The people rushed to Freedom Square.

Freedom Square is a complex of three Soviet administrative buildings destroyed during the 1992—1993 war with a pedestal from the Lenin monument. The monument itself was demolished a long time ago. But according to tradition, it is here that rallies gather, including such spontaneous ones. President of Abkhazia Sergei Bagapsh also came to the square to congratulate the people. Gaining independence, according to the head of state — is the « result of the work of the entire people of Abkhazia».

Russia established official diplomatic relations with South Ossetia and Abkhazia on September 9, when the foreign ministers exchanged relevant notes in Moscow.

On September 17, Russia signed treaties of friendship and cooperation with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which became an important stage in the formation of the statehood of new subjects of international law. Moscow is still promoting this process in every possible way today, concluding a number of agreements with Sukhum and Tskhinvali in a variety of areas.

On the Day of Recognition of Independence, concerts are held in Abkhazia, congratulations are heard, and in the evening a large festive fireworks display is held in the capital of the Republic.

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