Students from occupied Abkhazia unable to sit exams during closure of Enguri Bridge crossing-point

A number of university entrants from Georgia’s Russian occupied region of Abkhazia were unable to sit today’s Unified National Examinations in Georgian language and literature as the de facto leadership of Abkhazia closed the Enguri Bridge crossing-point connecting the region with the rest of Georgia.

Deputy Education Minister Irina Abuladze said the ministry is closely following the developments and will spare no efforts to ensure that all of the entrants from occupied Abkhazia have access to education in Georgia.

Some university entrants could not cross Enguri Bridge. We are expecting that the situation may improve at any time. A certain number of entrants faced some problems due to the closing of the Enguri so-called crossing-point. We will do our best to ensure they receive a higher education”, Abuladze said.

She told university entrants that even if they could not take today’s exams they are encouraged to take the exams whenever possible. Abuladze said the ministry will think of ways to ensure access to education for students from the occupied region. 

The de facto leadership of occupied region of Abkhazia announced a temporary closure of the so-called border between the region and the rest of the country on June 27. Photo: Erik Hoeg

The de facto Abkhaz leadership announced that the “entry of foreign citizens from the territory of Georgia, as well as the departure of citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia to the territory of Georgia” will be restricted for an undefined period of time amid recent protest rallies in Tbilisi.

• EU’s eyes and ears on Russia’s creeping occupation of Georgia.

Georgian Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said the Georgian government is taking all measures the so-called border to be reopened as soon as possible.

Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said the issue will be raised at the next round of the Geneva International Discussions on July  2-3.

Photo: Education Ministry's press office

Up to 41,000 students are registered in the Unified National Examinations, the common national exams for higher education, which is held in eleven towns throughout the country and ends on July 23. 

Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and Education Minister Mikheil Batiashvili wished luck to university entrants on “one of the most important days” in their life. 

Only eight per cent of the registered did not come to take exams.