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OC Media
5 days ago
- Politics
- OC Media
Russian official Kiriyenko visits Abkhazia for fourth time in 2025
Sign in or or Become a member to unlock the audio version of this article Join the voices Aliyev wants to silence. For over eight years, OC Media has worked with fearless journalists from Azerbaijan — some of whom now face decades behind bars — to bring you the stories the regime is afraid will get out. Help us fuel Aliyev's fears — become an OC Media member today Become a member Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Administration arrived in Abkhazia on Thursday, where he was received by President Badra Gunba. During their meeting, the sides discussed key aspects of Abkhaz-Russian cooperation, including energy, taxation, education, and humanitarian projects. Gunba stated that initiatives previously discussed in Moscow were 'now being realised in practice'. Kiriyenko, for his part, said he was 'glad to visit the land that is dear to me' and noted that positive changes were already visible, though he added that more progress is still needed. A key focus of the visit was energy. The meeting was attended by Russian Deputy Energy Minister Evgeny Grabchak, director of the state energy company Chernomorenergo Timur Dzhindzholia, as well as other representatives from Abkhazia's government and its Ministry of Energy. According to the Abkhaz authorities, Abkhazia faces critically high energy losses in the power grid, several times above Russian averages. Gunba described this as a 'systemic problem hampering development'. The sides agreed to end rolling blackouts during the upcoming winter and to draw up a plan for the modernisation of the power grid. Earlier, Russian engineers from RusHydro inspected the Perapadnaya HPP cascade in Gali District, a complex of four hydroelectric plants, of which only one — the Perapadnaya-1 with a 220 MW capacity — has been fully restored. Kiriyenko stated that the goals included ensuring there were no blackouts this winter, improving the reliability of the energy infrastructure, and completing a full inventory of the grid. Advertisement In early July, Gunba asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide additional emergency electricity transfers to the region, which Putin reportedly agreed to. The delegation also addressed education topics. Talks included plans to expand participation of Abkhaz youth in events and festivals held in Russia. Kiriyenko announced that, following a 10 May meeting between Gunba and Putin, Russia had decided to introduce additional salary supplements for teachers of both the Russian and Abkhaz languages. Plans were also announced to launch the Childhood Navigators initiative in Abkhazia with Russian support, along with assistance for school administrators and the Ministry of Education. Childhood Navigators is a project of the Russia's Education Ministry, which is being implemented within the framework of the federal project Patriotic Education of Citizens of Russia. Kiriyenko and Gunba toured reconstruction work at the Brekhalovka waterfront area in Sukhumi (Sukhum). The sides discussed interim architectural improvements, including decorative facades to cover dilapidated buildings. The delegation also visited the Amra yacht club and restaurant, where tourism infrastructure projects were presented. During the walk, Abkhazian officials showcased plans for the renovation of the Dioscuri Embankment, which include restoring a historic fountain and installing new architectural lighting. A public vote on design proposals was announced. The launch of a new maritime route between Sukhumi and Sochi was also discussed. A representative from Russian Sea Harbour (Rosmorport) announced that repairs to the Sukhum port would be completed by Sunday and that a test voyage would take place aboard the Kometa 120M hydrofoil. Separately, the sides reviewed the ongoing rollout of PSB (Promsvyazbank) pension cards for elderly residents. Nearly 20,000 Russian pensioners living in Abkhazia have already received the new cards, which offer full functionality, including payments, transfers, and cashback. According to the PSB press service, cards have been issued at 12 branches across Abkhazia since 18 April. As of early July, more than 24,000 individuals in Abkhazia were receiving Russian pensions, including over 4,000 people aged 80 and older. Kiriyenko noted that Putin's directive had been largely fulfilled but stressed that all Russian pensioners residing in the region must be provided with the cards. To conclude his visit, Kiriyenko and Gunba visited Achandara, the president's ancestral village, where they laid flowers at a memorial to those who died during World War II. During his stay, Kiriyenko also visited several social, infrastructure, and cultural projects supported by Russian funding. For ease of reading, we choose not to use qualifiers such as 'de facto', 'unrecognised', or 'partially recognised' when discussing institutions or political positions within Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and South Ossetia. This does not imply a position on their status.
Morocco World
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Azerbaijan Says Support Morocco's Sovereignty Over Western Sahara is Matter of Principle, Not Diplomatic Favor
In a climate of growing instability across the globe, Morocco and Azerbaijan have taken deliberate steps to reinforce their partnership. During a visit by Moroccan journalists to Baku, Azerbaijani Presidential Advisor and Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, reaffirmed his country's steadfast support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. Hajiyev also described the two countries as bound by mutual respect, shared values, and historical parallels. A partnership rooted in principle Speaking to the visiting Moroccan media delegation, which Morocco World News (MWN) was part of, Hajiyev described Morocco as a 'brotherly country' and commended the strength of bilateral ties. 'We have excellent relations across all sectors. The only issue is the geographic distance,' he said. For Azerbaijan, he added, Islamic solidarity and cooperation with Arab countries remain core pillars of foreign policy. 'We share many similarities with Morocco,' he noted, describing the North African country as a key partner in both the Arab and Islamic worlds. Hajiyev recalled the early roots of the diplomatic relationship, pointing to a historic meeting between Azerbaijan's former leader, Heydar Aliyev, and Morocco's King Hassan II during a summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Casablanca. 'That visit laid the foundation of our ties, not only with Morocco but also with the Arab and Muslim world,' he said. A shared struggle for recognized sovereignty In response to a direct question about Azerbaijan's stance on Western Sahara, Hajiyev offered a firm response: 'We have always supported Morocco's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' He drew a connection between Morocco's position in the Western Sahara and Azerbaijan's own experience with Armenia. 'When we gained independence, Armenia occupied 20% of our territory, including Karabakh,' he said. 'We trusted international law, waited for thirty years, and upheld the UN resolutions. But in the end, we had to act to restore our sovereignty.' After retaking full control of Karabakh in 2023, Azerbaijan, Hajiyev explained, gained clarity on what it means to have sovereignty denied. 'Because we suffered the consequences of occupation, we place enormous value on the territorial integrity of other states. Our position on Morocco's territorial integrity is not diplomatic courtesy, it is a question of principle.' Building on cultural affinity The Moroccan delegation's visit to the National Museum of Literature in Baku included a special exhibition on Azerbaijani journalism, which provided a window into the country's intellectual history. But for Hajiyev, the cultural bond goes far beyond exhibitions. He described a visit by a Moroccan royal who was surprised by the resemblance between traditional Moroccan and Azerbaijani designs. 'He noticed that our ornaments and patterns mirror Moroccan motifs,' Hajiyev said. 'It showed that our cultures have long been in quiet conversation, even without knowing it.' He also pointed to Morocco's hosting of ISESCO, the Islamic world's educational and cultural institution, as a symbol of its standing. 'Morocco is one of the cultural centers of the Muslim world, and we give that special importance,' he said. Azerbaijan, he added, plans to promote further exchanges in heritage, language, and the arts. 'We must make the cultures of both countries better known to each other,' he said. 'Your cuisine, your clothing, your traditions are already familiar here. We want to take this further.' Religious tolerance, intercultural dialogue Hajiyev emphasized the value of tolerance that the two countries share.'In Morocco, Christians, Jews, and Muslims live together in peace. We see the same reality in Azerbaijan,' he said. This, he argued, gives both countries the credibility to speak globally on matters of coexistence. 'There's not only a need for dialogue between civilizations. There's a need for dialogue within them. The divisions in the Muslim world today are growing,' he said. 'Together, we can help change that.' Economic and tourism potential While acknowledging the solid foundation of political cooperation, Hajiyev described economic ties between the two countries as underdeveloped. 'There's great potential for growth in trade, investment, and tourism,' he said. 'Morocco is known internationally as a tourism hub. Azerbaijanis are increasingly drawn to it.' He noted a rising interest in Azerbaijan among Moroccan citizens, reflected in online conversations and social media engagement. 'But awareness is still low,' he admitted. 'That's why visits like yours are essential. You help inform people about what's possible.' Hajiyev recounted his visit to Morocco over a decade ago. 'Friends tell me the country has changed a lot since then. I look forward to seeing that with my own eyes,' he said. Regional stability amid global turbulence Despite the current international turmoil, from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza to tensions between Iran and Israel, Hajiyev said Azerbaijan remains a zone of stability. 'The conflict with Armenia is over. We control our territory, and we live in peace thanks to the wisdom of our leaders,' he said. 'We understand instability. It's all around us. But we also believe in sovereignty, in diplomacy, and cooperation.' This belief, he concluded, drives Azerbaijan's position on Western Sahara, and why it stands as a beacon of support for Rabat's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces. 'We know what it means to have your land taken. That's why we defend Morocco's right to its territory, clearly, without hesitation, and condition.' Tags: azerbaijanbilateral tiesMoroccoWestern sahara
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Op Sindoor: Army Details What Happened After Pak Attacked Religious Places In India
Putin Rages Over Destruction Of WW2 Memorials; 'Ukraine Will Come 2nd Even In Contest For Idiots' Russian president Vladimir Putin met with members of volunteer organisations during his visit to the Kursk region on Tuesday. He said Ukrainians were idiots for destroying World War 2-era memorials and statues. This was Putin's first meeting to the region since Russia claimed complete freedom from Ukrainian troops. Acting governor of the region, Alexander Khinshtein, and First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Sergey Kiriyenko, also participated in the meeting. Watch for more. 1.7K views | 3 hours ago
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Putin Rages Over Destruction Of WW2 Memorials; 'Ukraine Will Come 2nd Even In Contest For Idiots'
Russian president Vladimir Putin met with members of volunteer organisations during his visit to the Kursk region on Tuesday. He said Ukrainians were idiots for destroying World War 2-era memorials and statues. This was Putin's first meeting to the region since Russia claimed complete freedom from Ukrainian troops. Acting governor of the region, Alexander Khinshtein, and First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Sergey Kiriyenko, also participated in the meeting. Watch for more.
