Russia, Abkhazia to cooperate in energy, education, healthcare for better quality of life in Abkhazia

SUKHUM. June 16 (Interfax) - Energy, tourism, education, healthcare and digitalization of public administration are the priority areas of cooperation between Russia and Abkhazia, Russian Deputy Economic Development Minister Dmitry Volvach said.

"The goal is not just to support the economy but also to improve the quality of life for the Abkhaz population. [...] These areas will be the foundation of joint projects and reforms to be carried out as part of the Intergovernmental Commission for Socioeconomic Cooperation's activity," Volvach said at a meeting with Abkhaz Prime Minister Vladimir Delba.

Sectoral roadmaps will soon be developed for each of those areas, and these documents will serve as a tool for drawing investment, upgrading infrastructure, and improving skills of the workforce, Volvach said.

There will be a comprehensive approach to cooperation with due account of the resources of both sides, he said. "We will stake on reforms and maximize the use of resources both those of Russia and the potential of the republic," Volvach said.

A delegation of the Russian Economic Development Ministry is visiting Abkhazia to discuss the program of assistance to Abkhazia's socioeconomic development in 2026-2030. The delegation will visit a children's hospital under construction in Sukhum with Russian funding, and an investment project aimed to build a dairy factory in Labra in the Omchachira district. Russian and Abkhaz delegations will hold a meeting on the socioeconomic development of Abkhazia.