Attempts to Recognize the „Abkhazian National Passport“ as a Travel Document

Abstract

The research issue of the presented paper is the request of the separatist region of Georgia, Abkhazia, for the so-called Abkhazian national passport to be recognized as an international travel document by Western states. In this context, precedents in international practice (Kosovo, Taiwan, Northern Cyprus) are analyzed.

    The paper focuses on the clear policy of the European Union, which involves re­co­gnizing as illegal the "passports" issued by the Russian Federation in the occupied territories (occupied Abkhazia, Tskhinvali region). The issue is clearly related to the inviolability of the borders of the Georgian state, as recognized by international law, and respect for the sovereignty of the Georgian state.

    During the research, we have used available theoretical material, the content analysis of which has provided us with significant assistance in preparing appropriate conclusions. The scientific novelty of the work is associated with the analysis of the positions of the so-called officials and the views of the population of occupied Abkhazia on the above-mentioned issue, which provides a summary, analysis and logical conclusions of the differences of opinion surrounding the issue.