"Abkhazia as well as [South] Ossetia only have prospects for the future with Georgia. Their interests will be protected by modern European standards," Margvelashvili said.
On November 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Abkhazian leader Raul Khadzhimba signed an agreement between the two countries, envisaging the formation of a common defense and security space that includes creating a joint military group force that will fall under the subordination of both countries.
Russia recognized Abkhazia and another breakaway Georgian province, South Ossetia, as independent states in August 2008 following a five-day war with Georgia. In response to that, Tbilisi severed diplomatic relations with Moscow and declared the two Caucasian republics occupied territories.
