The funeral of Abkhazia`s President Sergey Bagapsh is taking place today following his death five days ago in a medical center in Moscow. He had also served as prime minister, a post he held when the state first declared independence from Georgia. During his rule the de-facto independent republic gained international recognition. Bagapsh died at the age of 62, and his colleagues have pledged to continue negotiating for Abkhazia`s recognition as an independent republic, despite obstacles from the world`s major powers. Sergey Bagapsh dreamt of a career in agriculture, but instead ended up sowing the seeds of democracy in a newly born independent state he had helped nurture to life. He was a man who managed to rise to the highest post in his land, but never drifting too far from his roots. Born into a family of teachers in the small Abkhazian village of Dzhgerda, most locals knew Bagapsh personally. They say he always cared about people`s needs, and that was key to his success as president. Villagers are stunned that he has left them so early. Most local men generally live well into their eighties. Bagapsh was first elected in 2004. During his presidency, Abkhazia gained recognition from Russia, managed to avoid open conflict with neighboring Georgia, stood by its ally when South Ossetia was attacked by Georgian troops in 2008, and finally, established diplomatic ties with a number of nations around the world. Maksim Guingia, Abkhazia`s foreign minister, worked alongside Bagapsh. He says his passing is a great loss for the team, and also a personal tragedy: "He was like a brother for me. We had very good personal relations. He understood me a lot in my new ideas and new projects." In his last interview to RT`s Denis Bolotski talking about what had changed in the republic, Sergey Bagapsh said: "The main thing that`s changed is people`s mood. Now they are more certain about their future." And that feeling of stability is something Sergey Bagapsh will always be remembered for.