Georgia Pushes Issue of Granting Russian Citizenship in Abkhazia at CoE

(Tbilisi, January 17, 2003. Civil Georgia) – At the meeting of the Committee on Political Affairs of the Council of Europe Georgian Parliamentary delegation expressed protest concerning the granting of the Russian citizenship to the population living in breakaway Abkhazia.

MP Zurab Zhvania stated that the Russian move is “the hidden annexation.” He also protested against the Russia’s unilateral decision to reopen the railway connection between Russian city of Sochi and Abkhaz capital Sukhumi.

Georgian Parliamentary delegation intends to push the issue at the nearest session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.