Russia, Abkhazia discuss transport infrastructure development

SUKHUM. April 2 (Interfax) - Abkhaz President Badra Gunba and the Russian presidential administration's first deputy chief Sergei Kiriyenko have held a meeting on the development of Abkhaz transport infrastructure, the Abkhaz president's press service said in a statement on Thursday.

"Gunba and Kiriyenko held a working meeting in the town of Gudauta, on a stretch of road repaired at the expense of Russia's federal budget. They discussed the development of transport infrastructure, prioritized sections for repair, and liaising with road authorities. Special attention was given to quality and deadlines of this work and efficient coordination of all services involved," the statement said.

"The first stage of road infrastructure reconstruction in the Kodori Gorge, worth 205.5 million rubles, as part of the Abkhaz road overhaul program with Russian federal funding in the amount of one billion rubles, began in 2025," the head of Abkhazia's capital construction authority, Demir Gamisoniya, said.

"Work at that site is due to be completed in December 2026. Last year, overhaul was completed on 21 sites of road infrastructure on a total area of 198,832 square meters," he said.

"Russia continues to provide Abkhazia with comprehensive assistance in developing its road sector, which helps improve comfort and safety on the roads and reduce transport burden during the tourist season," the statement said.