Interview with the President of the "International Fund Apsny" about its structure and future projects.

Not so long ago, you started the activity of the “International Fund Apsny”, could you tell us a little about the goals and objectives of the Fund?
The "International Fund Apsny" has been working for more than six months. During this time, the Fund has implemented a number of measures. People with similar goals and objectives as in the charter of the Fund, which is laid in the Ministry of Justice, have joined our ranks.
Fund “Apsny” has the following structure:
The President – Soner Gogua; the Vice-president – Vitali Smyr; the Secretary-General – Asida Inapshba

1. committee of International relations – Maxim Gvindzhia
2. committee of Media and public relations – Guram Amkuab
3. committee of Apsuara, demography and repatriation – Syrma Ashuba
4. committee of Economic development and investments – Abesalom Kvarchia
5. committee of Finance- Beslan Kvitsinia
6. committee of Culture and education – Nugzar Logua
7. committee of Social policies –Julia Gumba
8. committee of Youth policy – Astamur Logua

The Foundation works in different directions, but the priority is to protect the interests of our nation and our state. Currently, the committees are working on their annual program concentrating on the most important issues, key problems of the society and the state. In a relatively short period of its existence, the Foundation has implemented several projects. For the first time, with the assistance of the fund, the official participation of the Abkhaz ensamble, in particular the Abkhaz State children's ensemble "Abaza" in the International Children's Festival, which was held in Turkey, became possible. After receiving the invitation, the fund started conducting complex negotiations, as there is a difference between participation as a guest of the festival or as an official participant with the state symbols. The negotiations were successful. Next, the round table "Abkhazia in the context of Russian-Turkish relations", which we held in Sukhum in the Moscow cultural - business center "Moscow House in Sukhum". Well-known scholars, political scientists and experts of the three countries took part in it. The roundtable touched upon the history of relations, the issues of socio-economic development, trade, the prospects of political relations, etc. In my opinion, the Fund has realized its goals. The next project was on May 21, which it is a commemoration day of victims of the Caucasian War, the Day of Muhajirs. As it is said, if you do not know the history, it is difficult to choose the right path. In addition to these tragic pages of history as makhadjir, there is also the Patriotic War of 1992-1993. In 2008, the Russian Federation recognized the independence of Abkhazia. Today we are experiencing a time of which our ancestors dreamed about, the descendants of Muhajirs began to return to their homeland. Here they start families, they raise their children, and they are involved in the reconstruction of the young Abkhazian state in all spheres of its activity: economy, culture, sports and other areas. What could be more joyful than this? On May 21 of this year, the Foundation organized a meeting between the management and the members of the government, and repatriates. With sadness recalling the tragic pages of the history of our nation, discussing the future prospects of our young state. We have to discuss all issues: the problematic ones and the happy ones, just so we can choose the right path. Also, to this date the fund has dated another event - sent a delegation to Turkey consist of Guram Amkub and Arda Ashoba to participate in activities held by the Abkhazian diaspora in Kefken, Turkey. The same location where many of our compatriots who was forced to leave their homeland perished. Our delegation also visited the province of Kocaeli, where up to 30,000 Abkhazians live, and held several meetings. Representatives of the Fund were invited to local TV, where they answered questions about the political, social and economic situation in Abkhazia. At this time, we have launched a new project called "Mother and Child". The project will be permanent and it is aimed at supporting the Abkhazian families in which there is a newborn baby. Any Abkhazian family, which has a baby under the age of 6 months, can get this help in any region of Abkhazia. For those who live in Sukhum and Sukhum districts can get it from the office of the Fund at Sukhum, st. Pushkin 16, business center "Gudo Plaza", 5th floor. In other areas of Abkhazia, the help will be delivered by representatives of the Fund and distributed to the local administration. We are well aware of what difficulties exist in the demography of Abkhazia. Our people are small in number. We must increase our number to become stronger. Therefore, we need to monitor the health of the children, take care of them, help to get education, not only in Abkhazia, but also in institutions abroad. They need to be educated, to be useful to their country. Then our country will become stronger and more powerful. Our projects also cover the areas of foreign policy, economy, culture, repatriation, sports, etc.

In addition to the mentioned areas, will the fund be involved in politics? In this regard, the public opinion is ambiguous. Make the situation clear to us.
In our country, at the first place, the policy engaged in public institutions, and a lot of political entities and parties, we also have opposition. Our Fund is not a government institution. For us, the priority is to support the Abkhazian state, defend the interests of our people, and provide possible assistance. We believe that the Abkhaz people, wherever they live, here or abroad, must unite together to solve their problems. We have no other choice. If we will not solve our problems by ourselves, no one will solve it for us no matter how strongly they support us. Why do I have to be away from the problems of my country, if I have the opportunity, the ability and the resources to solve them? For me the greatest happiness – is to be useful for my people. We must unit our forces in order to protect the future of our country and its independence. Today, the Abkhazians living in Russia and Turkey should be able to express their views about the future of Abkhazia. There are many people with a low level of social living in Abkhazia. We must help these people. Let us unite in this. If we begin to help each other, we will give an example to other countries, and possibly, in the future, they may support us. We have people in our Fund, with experience in civil service and with responsible attitude to their work.

Do you plan to open branches of your organization in other countries?
Of course, but our plans will be difficult to realize by the efforts of the Fund only. We will need additional funding. In our country, there are people ready to support us on a voluntary basis and not only here, but in Russia and Turkey as well. We are encouraged by this. Today, our Fund combines many young people, as from Syria and Turkey as well. We are happy for this. We hope that our numbers will grow. I believe in success. However, I would like to call upon the leadership and the public, to support our foundation in the future, as extent as possible, since this is a common thing for all of us, and we hope we will unite our people.