15:42, 24 May 2004

Abkhazia denies national currency claims

Abkhazia does not plan to introduce its own national currency, foreign minister of the non-recognized republic Sergey Shamba said on Monday, May 24, denying press reports.

"That's a complete falsification. I have never given such interviews or said that Abkhazia wants to have its own national currency," Shamba said.

"Abkhazia is not considering a national currency. On the contrary, we suggest preserving a common financial and economic space in the associated membership with Russia and want the Russian ruble to be the legal tender on Abkhazian territory," the minister said.

"Tbilisi is inventing things like never before, and the story about my interview is an example of that," Mr Shamba said.

Editors note: See also the article "Abkhazia to have its own monetary unit".

Source: Interfax News Agency