03 November 2009, 11:00
Abkhazia extends Soviet passports
As reported by Sergey Shamba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, citizens of the republic can use their Soviet passports "until further notice" of the Russian government.
According to the statement of the government of the Russian Federation, starting November 2, it is forbidden to cross the Russian-Abkhazian border with the Soviet passport model 1974 and with Soviet foreign passports series 40 and 42.
"In this context, we could have serious problems, and, realizing it, we raised the issue of extending Soviet passports. Abkhazia was visited by a mixed delegation from Russia, and the action of Soviet passports was extended," said Mr Shamba.
In Abkhazia, about 90 percent of the population has Russian citizenship, as the Abkhazian legislation allows dual citizenship with the Russian Federation.
Author: Angela Kuchuberia Source: CK correspondent
