Sukhum gets listed among CIS capitals

Sukhum/Agency Caucasus – Abkhazia’s capital Sukhum joins the International Assembly of Capitals and Metropolitans.

 

The assembly contains cities from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In its 11th congress on September 28 in Ufa, capital of the Bashkortostan Republic, members of the congress reached decision to have Abkhazia as part of the assembly. Yuri Lujkov, Mayor of Moscow, heads the assembly. Among the 64 cities are Moscow, Yerevan, Tshinval, Bishkek, Alma-Ata, Habarovsk, Tiraspol and Lugangsk. 

 

Alias Labahua, Mayor of Sukhum, said that the decision to include Abkhazia in the assembly was a step forward towards easing the embargo on Abkhazia, and added that it would make it easier to develop joint projects. Labahua then offered that the assembly should organize next year a seminar in the capital city of Abkhazia so that Sukhum could gain wider recognition. It received full support from all members of the congress. The seminar is expected to take place from June 24 to July 7, 2008, with the participation of 30 mayors. KU/ÖZ/FT