Switzerland Declares Non-Recognition of Russian-Issued Passports in Occupied Georgian and Ukrainian Territories
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, August 21, 2023
Switzerland has announced its non-recognition of passports issued by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine and Georgia. A statement released on the Swiss Federal Council's website clarifies that individuals hailing from the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine or the separatist regions of Georgia will no longer have the ability to acquire Schengen visas or traverse the internal Schengen border using travel documents issued by Russia. This encompasses both regular and diplomatic passports, residency permits for stateless individuals, seafarers' return certificates, and identity papers.
The timeline for the non-recognition of documents pertaining to Ukrainian regions varies based on the specific area. For the occupied regions of Georgia, August 26, 2008, has been cited as the pivotal date; consequently, Schengen visas will not be granted for travel documents issued by Russia after this date. The statement elaborates that "in August 2008, Russia acknowledged the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as sovereign nations... Switzerland regards these territories as integral components of Georgia."
Georgian Dream deputy Irakli Kadagishvili has reacted to Switzerland's decision, asserting that it is long overdue and that Russian passports should not have been permitted within the Schengen Zone well in advance.
Furthermore, Kadagishvili highlighted that numerous residents of the occupied territories utilize Georgian passports. He emphasized that, in accordance with the applicable legislation, the government remains prepared to facilitate fellow citizens residing in these occupied regions in obtaining Georgian passports, enabling them to explore the world using these documents.
Kadagishvili emphasized that the state's policy is aimed at restoring relations between the parts of Georgia that are divided by occupation, utilizing peaceful rapprochement.
Tina Bokuchava, the chairperson of the United National Movement, has also responded to Switzerland's decision regarding the non-recognition of Russian passports issued in the occupied territories of Georgia and Ukraine. She noted the implementation of a so-called 'status-neutral' document that Georgian citizens living in the occupied regions could use. However, she expressed disappointment in the current government for neglecting this policy and not providing any support for the citizens of Georgia residing in these occupied areas.
"The so-called 'status-neutral' document, intended for Georgian citizens residing in the occupied region, was implemented, even for international travel, and our government spared no effort to enable Georgian citizens in the regions under Russian occupation to travel. Unfortunately, the current government has forgotten this policy and has not offered any assistance to the citizens of Georgia living in the occupied regions," stated Bokuchava.
