OREANDA-NEWS President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania said that at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on October 4, they agreed that Russia would continue to help Abkhazia in providing electricity in winter.

"We also discussed the issues of gasification of the republic and the subsequent construction of a gas-fired thermal power plant for electricity generation. This idea was also supported by the President of Russia," Bzhania told reporters.

According to him, issues related to ensuring the security of Abkhazia were also discussed at the meeting: "In this regard, we have every reason to count on the support of the Russian Federation."

"The closeness on many issues was emphasized. We talked about the integration processes initiated by the Russian Federation, about the participation of Abkhazia in these processes, about the possible participation of Abkhazia in the Union State of Russia and Belarus in the future. All this is perceived positively, we need to work on this in the future," Bzhania said.

Russian investments in the Abkhaz economy were also discussed. "We talked about the need and the positive effect of Russian investments, about a number of other issues that will provide a completely different standard of living for our citizens, a completely different economy that will allow us to solve the issues of ensuring the sustainable development of the country," Bzhania said.

In addition, the issue of infrastructure development was discussed - it was about the overhaul of the old and construction of a new bridge over the Gumista River at the entrance to the capital of Abkhazia and the restoration of the Sukhumi Military Road in the Kodori Gorge. Bzhania said that in these matters "he also met understanding."

According to Bzhania, "the meeting was held in a friendly, confidential atmosphere."

"The President of Russia, as it usually happens with regard to Abkhazia, treated all issues very carefully. He promised support on almost all issues that were raised at the meeting," Bzhania said.