As the list of countries recognizing Kosova’s new status grows, focus is beginning to dwell on another candidate for greater self-determination, Abkhazia.  Having held democratic elections and with external ties developing, hopes are growing that greater international recognition will follow.

Following the declaration of independence made by Kosova on 17 February 2008 there was much speculation of the consequences of such an action and the reactions of world powers. The question was raised in particular concerning similar autonomous regions in search of self-determination. Concerning the Caucasus especially, this became a much discussed issue, for good reason, as many ethnic groups populate the mountains and they struggle to assert self-determination under external regimes.

Abkhazia has been a prime example of a De Facto state for the past decade and a half, with an established autonomous government in a region internationally recognized as belonging to another state, Georgia. The government-in-exile under the Georgian federal system is seen internationally as the legitimate government of Abkhazia, while the Sukhumi based government that exercises real power within the region is looked upon in disparaging terms. This government, however, is democratically elected and thus has a mandate from the Abkhazian people, unlike the Georgian based Abkhazian government, and despite the difficulties in the logistics of governing a nation that is forcibly isolated from the rest of the world, has succeeded in recovering from the turbulence of the 1990s.

On 7 March 2008, Abkhazia followed Kosova’s example, reasserting its claim for independence from Georgia and seeking recognition from the international community. This followed days after Russia announced that it would unilaterally withdraw from the sixteen year old CIS sanctions against the region. Abkhazian independence has not been recognized by any state, but as a result, ties between Abkhazia and Russia are gradually deepening. The Russian Duma is currently considering the options for recognition of Abkhazia, debating between complete recognition, refusal to recognize, and partial recognition leaving Abkhazia with a status similar to that of Taiwan. Russian officials have also hinted that Russia may establish a diplomatic mission within Abkhazia, a fact that irks the Georgians and their supporters in the EU and US.

In the early 1990s, when the Soviet Union broke apart, several autonomous regions within the former superpower vied for independence. A 1990 Soviet law declared the right of all autonomous republics or formations to decide independently the question of staying in the USSR or seceding into an autonomous nation.  Abkhazia immediately pleaded its case for independence, citing the long history and distinct culture, and basing independence on the precedent of being an autonomous region with its own constitution under the USSR until 1931 when it was forcibly annexed into Georgia. Although Georgia returned to its 1921 Constitution which did not define the status of Abkhazia, the autonomous region was internationally considered a region within neighboring Georgia. In response, the Abkhazian independence movement led to the ultimate removal of Georgian authorities from the territory, but also the establishment of the CIS sanctions and international disapproval. The internal situation of the territory has recovered since, though further development remains greatly challenged by the enforced isolation from the rest of the world.

Earlier this week, Russia and Georgia reestablished air traffic between Tbilisi and Russian cities, moving Abkhazia to declare its own intentions to open the grounded airport in Sukhumi, especially before the 2014 Winter Olympics in nearby Sochi. The reopening of aviation ties goes against the two year rift between Russia and Georgia, which included the banning of Georgian goods from Russia. Georgia is currently bidding for membership in NATO, something that Russia is strongly against. It has been insinuated that Russia will recognize Abkhazia in retaliation to the Georgian’s entrance into the Soviet Era enemy. The Kremlin has even warned Georgia to consider carefully its intentions in NATO and how it could affect the already decrepit relationship with Russia. Georgia is already clearly worried how the emerging situation in Abkhazia will affect its NATO candidacy due to the territorial sovereignty in question, and is seeking help from its Western allies in the US and EU.

As Russia lifts sanctions and revitalizes economic and political ties with Abkhazia, the nation has the opportunity to recover. Abkhazia’s recent declaration of independence comes in the wake of Kosova’s own declaration. Both are similar and Abkhazia claims the recognition by international actors as a precedent for recognition of Abkhazia. According to Maxim Gunjia, Deputy Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, “People of Abkhazia claim the right to statehood based on universal principals for national self-determination. [They] assert the right of statehood on the basis of a modern political reality that legitimizes the rights of de facto independent states.” The Montevideo Convention, often cited as an authority on the definition of statehood sets the criteria as having “(a) a permanent population; (b) a defined territory; (c) government; and (d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states,” all of which Abkhazia demonstrates.

The reactions of international actors to Abkhazia’s declaration suggests that recognition will be a long time coming. Deputy Foreign Minister Maxim Gunjia adds, “We clearly realize that the recognition of Abkhazia is a highly-charged political question but the precedent in Kosovo gives us hope that our claim will also be satisfied.”