Commentary of the Head of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia Lasha Avidzba:

“Today, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation ratified the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Abkhazia on the settlement of issues of dual citizenship, signed in Moscow on September 27, 2022 by Inal Ardzinba and Sergey Lavrov.

It should be noted the special importance of the institution of dual citizenship for citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia. Indeed, this ensures freedom of movement, social guarantees, and security.

The agreement will allow to acquire citizenship of the Russian Federation without renunciation of citizenship of the Republic of Abkhazia.

Citizens of Abkhazia will fully enjoy the rights in the Russian Federation to social security, education, medical care and, importantly, to travel outside Russia, to countries of near and far abroad.”

Citizens of Abkhazia will be informed in advance about the start of the procedure for accepting applications for the acquisition of Russian citizenship.