Abkhazia Announces Visa Free Regime with Artsakh

Abkhazia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kan Taniya. (Source: Sputnik News)

STEPANAKERT (Combined Sources) ”” According to Russia’s state controlled news agency, the Foreign Ministry of Abkhazia has decided to sign an agreement with Artsakh on mutual visa-free travel. The move follows Abkhazian government’s announcement earlier in February, envisaging a simplified visa regime from April 1 for citizens of countries that have recognized Abkhazia’s independence.

Abkhazia is a partially recognized state controlled by a separatist government on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus.

Abkhaz authorities plan to set up new border control checkpoints to offer visa on arrival, also eyeing a strict visa regime for all countries that refuse to recognize its independence. Abkhaz officials believe the new visa regime will help regulate immigration.

Meanwhile, the Press-Secretary of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s President David Babaya, Artsakh has welcomed this decision made by Abkhazia.

“I think this issue should not be politicized. I can say that we positively assess Abkhazia’s decision. We are interested in providing our citizens the opportunity to visit more countries without visas,”