Foreign relations of Abkhazia

Politics of Abkhazia
Constitution
Executive President Aslan Bzhania Vice President Badr Gunba Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab
Legislature People's Assembly Speaker Valery Kvarchia Public Chamber Political parties
Elections Recent elections Presidential: 2019 2020 Legislative: 2017 2022 Local: 2011 2016
Administrative divisions First level: Seven Districts Second level: Towns / Urban Settlements
Foreign relations Ministry for Foreign Affairs Minister: Inal Ardzinba International recognition Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia Politics of Georgia Abkhaz–Georgian conflict Passport Visa requirements Visa policy Diplomatic missions of / in Abkhazia
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The Republic of Abkhazia is a partially recognized state in the South Caucasus which declared independence from Georgia during the War in Abkhazia (1992–1993). At the time, the Soviet Union had recently collapsed (1991).

Since 1992, Abkhazia has sought recognition as a sovereign state from the international community. Abkhazia is still considered by most to be part of Georgia.

Abkhazia maintains relations with 5 United Nations (UN) member states and 3 other partially recognized states. Transnistria – which is claimed by Moldova, recognised Abkhazia on 22 January 1993. Abkhazia arranged mutual recognitions with South Ossetia on 20 September 2005, territory also claimed by Georgia, and Artsakh on 14 November 2006 – claimed by Azerbaijan. Abkhazia was central to the Russo-Georgian War alongside South Ossetia. Shortly after the war, Russia recognized Abkhazia (26 August 2008), the first UN member state to do so.^[1]

As of October 2022, Abkhazia has obtained and retains recognition from four other UN member states: Nicaragua (5 September 2008), Venezuela (10 September 2009), Nauru (15 December 2009), and Syria (31 May 2018). Abkhazia has also obtained recognition from states that have now revoked this; these include Vanuatu (2011–2013) and Tuvalu (2011–2014). Abkhazia maintains unofficial contacts with several other countries, including Northern Cyprus (2008) (claimed by Cyprus), Belarus (2008, 2009, 2020), Italy (2011), San Marino (2011), Eritrea (2014), North Korea (2017, 2018), Iran (2021), and Yemen (2021).

The Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic arranged mutual recognition with Abkhazia in early 2022, but were annexed by Russia on 30 September 2022.