Maxim Gvinjia was appointed as breakaway region’s new foreign minister, replacing Sergey Shamba, who has become the prime minister.

Gvinjia served as deputy foreign minister and he was in a group of Abkhaz negotiators participating in the Geneva talks.

Gvinjia, according to the Russian media reports, is now visiting Argentina. He told Itar-Tass news agency that Sokhumi “hopes to establish diplomatic relations” with Argentina.

Key ministers in the cabinet, including interior and defense ministers, Otar Khetsia and Merab Kishmaria, respectively, retained posts.