President Gunba meets delegation of Abkhaz diaspora from Türkiye
Bagra Gunba, President of The Republic of Abkhazia
SUKHUM / AQW'A — Abkhazia’s President Badra Gunba has held talks in Sukhum with a delegation from Türkiye representing Abkhaz diaspora organisations, led by the newly elected head of the Federation of Abkhaz Cultural Centres (ABHAZFED), Yavuz Atryshba.
The meeting was also attended by Vice President Beslan Bigvava.
President Gunba thanked members of the delegation for their contribution to Abkhazia’s defence during the 1992–93 war and said he expected the new leadership to carry out its work “with responsibility”.
“First of all, I want to thank you as a veteran. When Abkhazia was in danger, you and your brothers defended it. I am confident that you will approach the work entrusted to you today with the same sense of responsibility,” he said.
Elections for the leadership of the Federation were held on 23 November in the Turkish city of Düzce, where Mr Atryshba received majority support from delegates.
The Federation of Abkhazian Cultural Centres plays a vital role in Türkiye, comprising 21 distinct cultural centres. These centres aim to bring together members of the Abkhaz-Abazin diaspora, fostering the preservation of their ethno-cultural identity and maintaining connections with their historical homeland.
Türkiye, as Abkhazia's second largest trade partner, also hosts the world's largest Abkhaz diaspora, estimated at around 500,000 individuals.