Gunba and Kiriyenko Discussed the Launch of Maritime Communication Between Sukhumi and Sochi

This initiative is being considered as "part of a broader strategy for transport integration and the development of Abkhazia's tourism potential."

“A meeting was held between Badra Gunba, Sergey Kiriyenko, and Anna Fomenko, the director of the Azov-Black Sea branch of Rosmorport. The main topic of discussion was the creation of a regular maritime route between Sukhumi and Sochi. The parties discussed options for organizing stable and accessible transport links between the capital of Abkhazia and the Russian resort," stated the de facto president's press service.

Kiriyenko, who oversees Abkhazia-related issues in the Kremlin, visited Sukhumi for the fourth time this year. He also discussed cooperation in the fields of energy and education with the so-called authorities of Georgia's occupied region, the reconstruction of the Sukhumi embankment, and the issuance of bank cards to Russian pensioners permanently residing in Abkhazia.

During Sergey Kiriyenko's visit, a representative office of the Russian bank Promsvyazbank was opened in Sukhumi. Mikhail Dorofeev, the deputy chairman of the bank, stated that about three months ago, by order of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Promsvyazbank began issuing bank cards to Russian citizen pensioners in 10 settlements of Abkhazia. To date, more than 20,000 pensioners have received bank cards.

Sergey Kiriyenko noted that Putin's order has been practically fulfilled; however, all Russian citizen pensioners must receive a bank card. In total, approximately 24,000 people in Abkhazia receive Russian pensions.