MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia on Cooperation in International Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia (the Sides, hereafter), based on the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Abkhazia of September 17, 2008, have reached an understanding on the following:

1. The Sides will strive towards the formation of mutually advantageous relations in different fields of international cooperation.

2. The Russian Side will exert efforts for the ongoing development of relations between the Republic of Abkhazia and third states and for its participation in activities of international organizations and conference of both a universal and a regional character.

3. The Sides in their foreign policy activities proceed from the mutual interest in the recognition by third states of the independence of the Republic of Abkhazia and in their establishment of diplomatic relations or other forms of cooperation with it.

4. The Russian Side will facilitate the entry of the Republic of Abkhazia into international organizations of which the Russian Federation is a member.

5. The Russian Side expresses the readiness of the Russian Federation to represent the interests of the Republic of Abkhazia in third states through diplomatic missions of the Russian Federation. This activity will be on the basis of applicable norms of international law and the appropriate agreements with host states.

6. The Russian Side, within the scope of its capabilities, will render support to the Abkhaz Side in the following forms:

- providing information on different aspects of international relations;

- assisting with the development of the legal and regulatory base of the Republic of Abkhazia in the field of international relations;

- assisting with the training of professional cadres for the sphere of international relations;

- sending Russian specialists to the Republic of Abkhazia and inviting Abkhaz specialists to the Russian Federation for the purpose of exchanging experience in the field of international relations;

- and holding seminars, theoretical and practical conferences, trainings and other such events on problems of international relations.

7. The Sides will also hold regular meetings and consultations on current issues in international relations. A schedule of such contacts will be approved annually.

8. In pursuance of the provisions of part 3 of Article 10 of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Abkhazia of September 17, 2008, the Sides will hold consultations on practical matters relating to the protection by diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Russian Federation of the interests of citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia on the territory of third states. Separate agreements will be concluded on this issue as needed.

9. The Russian Side stands ready to consider requests from the Abkhaz Side for providing it with concrete types of assistance in the international arena and inform the Abkhaz Side of the results of efforts undertaken.

10. The Abkhaz Side will render the Russian Side all necessary assistance for implementing the provisions of this Memorandum.

This Memorandum was signed on December 23, 2008 in duplicate, each copy in the Russian and Abkhaz languages.

For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of

the Russian Federation S. V. LAVROV the Republic of Abkhazia S.M. SHAMBA