The Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance Treaty, which the Russian Federation and the Republic Abkhazia signed in September of 2008 in Moscow, marked the beginning of legally binding, long-term and neighbourly relations between Moscow and Sukhumi, as well as a strategic partnership on political and military issues. The Treaty opened up new avenues for cooperation between the two countries in trade, the economy, humanitarian, cultural and other spheres of cooperation.
Following the Russian-Abkhazian agreement calling for joint efforts to protect the state border of the Republic of Abkhazia, Russian border guards were assigned to the Abkhaz border from July 15, 2009.
Within a relatively short period of time, Russia and Abkhazia have signed a number of cooperation agreements and protocols on various issues. Specific agreements have been adopted between the two countries' Finance Ministries, statistical services, chambers of commerce and industry, central election commissions, and between the Audit Chamber of the Russian Federation and the National Assembly (Parliament) of the Republic of Abkhazia. The development of relationships between Abkhazia and constituent entities of the Russian Federation has also been gathering momentum, as have relations between the two nations' parliaments. Currently, 30 pending bilateral draft agreements are being discussed.
In addition, the Russian Embassy in Sukhumi and the Abkhazian Embassy in Moscow were opened this spring. The Russian and Abkhazian Foreign Ministries signed the Memorandum of Mutual Understanding for Cooperation on International Relations, which allows for the development of bilateral contacts and interaction with third-party countries, thus promoting Abkhazia's bid for international recognition of its independence.