Breakaway Abkhazia imposes visas for nations not recognizing its ‘independence’

De facto authorities in one of Georgia’s two occupied regions has imposed visa regime for countries that refuse to recognise the breakaway territory as an independent state.

From today the majority of people wishing to visit breakaway Abkhazia must apply for a visa to be able to enter the occupied territory.

Almost all of the international community believes Abkhazia is integral part of Georgia, while only a handful of countries recognise Abkhazia as its own nation. 

The de facto parliament of Abkhazia said the decision to bring in a visa regime was to provide a better immigration policy for the region.

Georgian officials condemned the action and said imposing visa rules contradicted Georgian and international law and was "completely illegal”.

Russia and Nicaragua recognised Abkhazia’s independence in 2008 in the wake of the Russia-Georgia war. 

In 2009 Venezuela, Nauru and Tuvalu took the same step but after several years Vanuatu cancelled its view and said Abkhazia was part of Georgia.

The rest of the world agrees Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region are integral parts of Georgia.