19 August 2005, 20:43
Abkhazia merging with Russia
More than 80% of residents of Abkhazia are Russian nationals. These figures given by the president of Abkhazia, Sergei Bagapsh, have today been confirmed by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The ministry remarked that this was the free choice of Abkhaz residents and that citizenship was granted in strict accordance with the effective legislation, Radio Echo of Moscow says.
At a recent press conference, the president of Abkhazia said all residents of the unrecognised republic would have Russian passports in six or twelve months.
