DECREE ISSUED BY THE STATE DUMA OF THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION on Normalization of Border and Customs Regimes along the Abkhaz Portion of the Border of the Russian Federation

In the course of the conflict in Chechnya that has developed since 19 December 1994 and due to the threat, which came from the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Georgia (including the territory of Abkhazia), the Government of the Russian Federation issued the Decree #1394 “on the Measures of Temporary Restriction of the border crossing of the Russian Federation with the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Georgia”. Paragraph 8 of this Decree notes that introduction of aforementioned measures was based on the situation and had a temporary effect.

In conformity of aforementioned decree border crossing was temporary suspended at the Russian states border for individuals, vehicles, cargoes and goods moving from the Republic of Azerbaijan and Georgia, including Abkhazia.

The situation has drastically changed now. The obstacles that impeded normal operation of border and customs regime at the border with Abkhazia have been removed, mostly along the River Psou and Black Sea shore. Despite this fact, the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation show no initiative to restore economic and cultural cooperation between the Russian Federation and Abkhazia.

Introduction of temporary restriction at the border of Russian Federation with Abkhazia has already affected and still affects to the economy of Abkhazia. The civil population is suffering the most, among them there are ethnic minorities and those, whose native language is Russian, including the citizens of the Russian Federation. Their number exceeds 70 000. These are the dwellers of towns and villages that have nothing to do with agriculture. The population of Abkhazia, whose native language is Russian, needs substantive support from the Russian Federation.

Introduction of such measures against Abkhazia deteriorates the economy of Abkhazia and concurrently affects the Russian Federation too, which is loosing a friendly neighbour and is affected by unjustified loss. The economic relation between the Russian Federation and Abkhazia historically established over last decades is badly damaged.

The State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation considers necessary to normalize the border and customs regimes along the Abkhaz portion of the border of Russian Federation. The Russian Federation has to introduce the same border and customs procedures along the border with Abkhazia as it is in practice with other republics, the member-states of the CIS.

Proceeding from the aforementioned, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian federation decrees:

1. To submit the proposal to the President of the Russian Federation and the Council of the heads of States of he Commonwealth of Independent States on abolishment of restrictions regarding Abkhazia established under the Decisions taken by the Council.

2. To recommend the Government of the Russian Federation to declare null and void the Decree issued by the Government of the Russian Federation of 19 December 1994 #1394 “on Measures for temporary Restriction of Border Crossing of the Russian Federation with the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Georgia” due to changes of the situation.

3. To advise the subject of the Russian Federation to intensify the process of concluding the agreements on economic and cultural cooperation with Abkhazia.

5. This Decree shall come into effect the day it is adopted.

Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the RF G. Seleznyov

24 June 1998

(Bulletin of the Federal Assembly of the RF, M., 1998, # 20, p. 65-67)