Tbilisi, Georgia, April 22
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
The information spread by media outlets about the mass issuance of Russian passports to Armenians residing in Georgia's Samtskhe-Javakheti region, has not been confirmed, Georgian First Deputy Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said at a briefing on April 22.
Georgian citizen, having received the citizenship of another country, must renounce the citizenship of Georgia, Zalkaliani said, commenting on the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin on facilitation of passport issuance for Russian speaking people.
The Georgian diplomat said the country's government has become familiar with this document and currently is studying it more carefully.
"Nevertheless, I would like to inform all those interested in this issue that in the case of receiving Russian citizenship, the citizen is automatically deprived of Georgian citizenship, according to Georgian law and it is necessary to take this into account, " Zalkaniani said.
The country's first deputy foreign minister went on to add that the Georgian side should work out corresponding legal mechanisms in response to this decision by Russia.
Media outlets reported in early April that residents of Georgia's Armenian-populated Samtskhe-Javakheti region (South Georgia) were standing in a line in front of Russia's Consulate in Tbilisi to get Russian passports.
Russia's Consulate in Tbilisi operates under the auspices of the Switzerland embassy due to the lack of diplomatic relations with Georgia.
Translated by L.Z.
Edited by C.N.