Abkhazia slams Belarus foreign ministry over travel recommendations
The recommendations of Belarus foreign ministry's consular department about meeting the laws of Georgia when traveling to Abkhazia contradict the position of the Belarusian leadership, Abkhazia's deputy foreign minister Maksim Gvindgia said in a statement on Thursday. Gvindgia said that the statement was made in accordance with the embargo announced by CIS member states against Abkhazia in respond to the demands from Georgia in 1996. However, back then the leadership of Belarus did not back the sanctions against Abkhazia.
On July 22, the Belarusian foreign ministry "insistingly recommended" that Belarus nationals take into account the Georgian laws when planning trips to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Foreign nationals are allowed to enter Abkhazia and South Ossetia through the territory of Georgia only. Entering these two republics from any other direction is subject to criminal prosecution, under the Penal Code of Georgia.
At least two Belarus national had problems when entering Georgi, because they had earlier traveled to Abkhazia without a relevant permission from Georgia.
On July 22, the Belarusian foreign ministry "insistingly recommended" that Belarus nationals take into account the Georgian laws when planning trips to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Foreign nationals are allowed to enter Abkhazia and South Ossetia through the territory of Georgia only. Entering these two republics from any other direction is subject to criminal prosecution, under the Penal Code of Georgia.
At least two Belarus national had problems when entering Georgi, because they had earlier traveled to Abkhazia without a relevant permission from Georgia.
