During difficult times for Abkhazia, several groups of the South Ossetian youths supported the republic and stood alongside Abkhaz defenders of the homeland, some of whom gave their lives, President Alan Gagloev said during the meeting with Alan Elbakiev, the Abkhazian Ambassador to South Ossetia.
The head of state congratulated the representative of the fraternal nation on Victory Day and Abkhazia's Independence Day, celebrated on Tuesday.
"We sent a delegation to Abkhazia to congratulate and share the festivities with the country's residents.
We share a common destiny. We have endured many trials together, but our peoples persevered, lending a fraternal shoulder to each other, achieving independence, and today we have the opportunity to celebrate and congratulate each other," Gagloev said. In turn, Ambassador Alan Elbakiev thanked Gagloev for his congratulations, noting that this day is significant for the country.
"In Abkhazia, they say: without victory, there would be no independence. Volunteers from South Ossetia made a significant contribution to defending the republic's interests. Sadly, seven brave sons of Ossetia laid down their lives for a better future for Abkhazia. The republic remembers them all by name, honors them, and is immensely grateful to the South Ossetian people and the parents of these worthy warriors for raising such sons.
Today, the sons and grandchildren of these defenders, shoulder to shoulder with their brothers from Russia, are defending the freedom and independence of the people of Donbas. I believe victory will be ours again. Eternal memory to all the heroes who gave their lives for Abkhazia, for Ossetia, for Russia," the Ambassador said.
Elbakiev has noted that he fully shares the assessment of the Abkhazian President Badr Gunba and Gagloev that the relations between the republics are of a special nature.
He cited the arrival of the entire Abkhazian leadership to the celebratory events in South Ossetia to support the people of the Republic on this significant day.
Elbakiev has added that the Abkhazian government delegation took active part in all the events of the first IEF, on the sidelines of which the important agreements were signed.
At the end of the meeting, the Ambassador wished Gagloev, his colleagues, and the people of South Ossetia success in their activities, peace, and prosperity.
