Crimea and Abkhazia sign 'memorandum of understanding and cooperation'
The Ministry of Economic Development of Russian-Crimea has signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Abkhazia, Krym.Realii reported.
According to the press service of the Russian-Crimean authorities, the memorandum was signed in the framework of the International Economic Forum in Yalta in order to strengthen the partnership between the two disputed territories in socio-economic, scientific-technical, and cultural spheres.
The document was signed by the head of the Russian-Crimean Ministry, Valentin Demidov, and the Economic Minister of Abkhazia, Ardzinban Adgur.
"An exchange on economic, social, industry, investment and trade policy will be carried out, as well as an exchange of experience in established areas. Such cooperation will create favorable conditions for the development and deepening of foreign economic relations of the two republics,” a statement read.
The internationally recognized Ukrainian territory of Crimea was annexed by the Russian Federation in March of 2014 in the wake of the Ukrainian revolution. The Kremlin has faced international condemnation for its annexation of the Peninsula, leading many western countries to impose economic sanctions against Russia. In the United Nations, only Afghanistan, Belarus, North Korea, Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Syria recognize Crimea as a legitimate federal subject of Russia.
Abkhazia is a breakaway region on the east coast of the Black Sea. The separatist government considers the territory to be an independent state, a status that is recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru. The Georgian government, the United Nations, and the majority of the world's governments consider the region of Abkhazia to be a legitimate part of Georgian territory.