MOSCOW, September 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has reestablished commercial maritime passenger routes with the former Georgian republic of Abkhazia, which were frozen after last year's war between Russia and Georgia.
Russia's transport ministry has reopened the route for the high-speed, 180-passenger Hermes vessel between the Black Sea resort cities of Sochi and Gagra.
"Four trips are planned before the closing of the holiday season in 2009 and daily trips will begin again in May 2010," a Russian transport ministry statement said.
The report also said passenger volume in 2010 should reach around 150,000 passengers and tour companies in Gagra and Sochi, which will host the Winter Olympics in 2014, were currently drawing up contracts.
Russia and Georgia fought a five-day war after Georgian forces attacked South Ossetia on August 8 last year in an attempt to regain control over the breakaway republic. In response, Russia launched a military operation to eject Georgian troops from the region and then recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
