Below is an article published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia:

On August 17 [2012], the first meeting of the Public Expert Council took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia. The Council was created to reflect the opinions of the expert community in the development and implementation by the Foreign Ministry of Abkhazia of the policy in the field of international relations of the Republic of Abkhazia. The main tasks of the Council are the expert assessment of events planned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia in foreign policy, and to make recommendations for the Foreign Minister with respect to the work with the public and for the implementation of programs aimed at enhancing the image of the foreign policy of the Republic of Abkhazia.

The Public Expert Council included: the Minister of Foreign Affairs Viacheslav Chirikba, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Irakli Khintba, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleg Arshba, the Secretary of the National Security Council Stanislav Lakoba, the Director of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Abkhazia Oleg Damenia, the head of the Abkhazian branch of the Fund "Institute of Eurasian Studies" Socrat Dzhinzholia, the Chairman of the "Association of Women of Abkhazia" Natella Akaba, the Executive Director of the NGO "Center for Humanitarian Programs" Arda Inal-Ipa, the Deputy Director of the NGO "Center for Humanitarian Programs" Liana Kvarchelia.

During the meeting were discussed issues related to the position of the Abkhaz side at the Geneva discussions, information policy of Abkhazia, strengthening the role of the foreign policy of Abkhazia in the neighboring countries, etc.

The Council will be a quarterly event and will include a more expanded composition.