Some time ago, Abkhaz diplomat Kan Tania published a post on Facebook stating that “young people from Abkhazia have the opportunity to obtain a second higher education in Italy.” He was referring to the Italian association Rondine Cittadella della Pace (“Rondine Citadel of Peace”), thanks to which, according to Tania, he himself and many of his friends were able to successfully study in Italy.

As stated in Tania’s post, Rondine Cittadella della Pace is recruiting students for a free two-year course of study at Italian universities. Accommodation at the Rondine student campus in the heart of Tuscany is covered by the host organization. Those who pass the selection process are offered courses in Italian language and culture, followed by enrollment at universities in Florence and Umbria.

“MANDATORY: possession of a Russian or any other foreign university diploma; possession of citizenship of the Republic of Abkhazia [...]” the post stated.

Many Abkhaz social media users who read the post — especially the part concerning the “mandatory possession of citizenship of the Republic of Abkhazia” — were likely left with the impression that, if not all of Italy, then at least Rondine Cittadella della Pace itself recognizes Abkhazia, since it allegedly requires “Abkhaz citizenship.” But is this really the case?

To clarify the matter, Accent contacted the original source directly — the Italian association itself, namely the press secretary of Rondine Cittadella della Pace, Elena Girolimoni. Here is the written response we received from her:

“Rondine Cittadella della Pace is a civil society, non-profit, and non-political organization. Our goal is to support dialogue and reconciliation between divided communities so that people living in conflict situations can build relationships aimed at transforming conflict and strengthening peace processes. All international programs and initiatives promoted by Rondine Cittadella della Pace are based on the guidelines and recommendations of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Accordingly, an ‘Abkhaz passport’ is definitely not a document required from students.”

Ms. Girolimoni also noted that all updates and offers from the Association are distributed through the official channels of Rondine Cittadella della Pace, and that if third parties, organizations, or individuals circulate versions differing from the official one, the Association bears no responsibility for such messages — responsibility lies solely with those disseminating them.

Italy, whose policies — according to Ms. Girolimoni’s response — guide the activities of the above-mentioned Italian association, has never recognized Abkhazia and does not recognize it to this day.

“Italy has always unequivocally supported Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the policy of non-recognition of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. Accordingly, not only enrollment in any university in that country, but even entry into its territory using documents issued by unrecognized regions is completely excluded — this is ruled out by the Italian authorities themselves,” the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Tbilisi is not only aware of the activities of Rondine Cittadella della Pace, but also welcomes them, including the Italian association’s acceptance of young people from Abkhazia.

“For many years, Rondine has worked with Georgian and Abkhaz youth to help restore trust between divided societies, supporting dialogue and reconciliation between younger generations while respecting all ‘red lines’ connected to the policy of non-recognition. The information spread by Mr. Tania appears to be yet another disinformation attempt aimed at creating the myth of international recognition of Abkhazia’s independence within Abkhaz public discourse,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry stated.

It is widely recognized that access to education is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, due to the realities that have developed in Abkhazia over the past 30 years, obtaining quality education has become increasingly difficult for the younger Abkhaz generation. An outdated Soviet-era educational system, combined with a shortage of qualified teachers, places them at a disadvantage compared to their peers.

Fully aware of this, the Georgian government proposed — and continues to offer — a unique program enabling young people from Abkhazia to receive quality education in territory controlled by the Georgian authorities and later continue their studies at leading foreign universities, entirely free of charge.

Georgian universities provide access to hundreds of higher education institutions around the world, while also offering scholarships and fully funded bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Notably, many representatives of the Abkhaz authorities themselves received their education at Georgian universities, though for political reasons they prefer not to mention this fact in their biographies.

According to statistics, the number of young people wishing to take advantage of these opportunities increases every year, yet they constantly face obstacles, while Tbilisi repeatedly seeks new solutions for Abkhaz youth.

For example, the Enguri Bridge was closed on June 28, 2019 — precisely when university entrance examinations began — and the “administration” of the Gali district monitored every applicant. Nevertheless, some students still managed to cross secretly, either by paying bribes or risking their lives and health. For those who were unable to cross, the Georgian government took the unprecedented decision to enroll them in Georgian universities without entrance examinations.

The Georgian side also took into account that, due to pressure, some students were forced to enroll in local universities. Later, they were given access to a mobility program allowing them to continue their studies at Georgian universities without exams and with full funding.

In 2020, in addition to the closed Enguri crossing, young people also faced direct threats from the Russian FSB warning that they would face legal consequences for “illegally crossing the border.” In response, the Georgian government once again decided to admit Abkhaz applicants to Georgian universities without examinations.

Tbilisi also recognized that difficult socio-economic conditions and the inability to study in one’s native language negatively affect the educational level of youth living in Abkhazia, making it difficult for them to compete with peers living on the other side of the Enguri River.

As a result, in 2019 Tbilisi developed a post-school preparatory program offering several months of preparatory courses at Tbilisi State University or Zugdidi State University, along with monthly scholarships and accommodation. This initiative forms part of the Georgian government’s peace initiative “A Step to a Better Future” and allows students to enroll in Georgian universities without entrance examinations.

In addition, for Abkhaz youth who do not speak Georgian, a separate “1+4” program was created, enabling enrollment in Georgian universities based on examinations in the Abkhaz language and literature. Students admitted through any of the above-mentioned pathways receive housing and completely free education. They may study in Georgian, Russian, or English-language faculties and continue their education through international programs and scholarships during or after their studies.

It should be emphad that these educational opportunities do not require possession of Georgian citizenship.

As part of the peace initiative “A Step to a Better Future,” a completely neutral mechanism was created — registration through a personal identification number — allowing students to enroll in Georgian universities and receive full funding on the basis of an individual number issued using Abkhaz documents. In Georgia, personal identification numbers are assigned to all categories of persons, including foreign nationals and stateless individuals.

Georgian legislation also provides a neutral procedure for recognizing secondary and higher education obtained in Abkhazia. Since 2017, this process has become even simpler. Educational recognition documents may now be obtained without acquiring Georgian citizenship, without witnesses, and even without crossing the Enguri River — through online applications, including in the Abkhaz language, either personally or through international organizations. Such documents provide access both to education and employment opportunities.

Students educated at leading universities are one of the key driving forces behind societal development. Educating and bringing qualified professionals back home is a common task for both Georgians and Abkhaz, since neither side benefits from the outflow of young people and the depopulation of Abkhazia.

Accordingly, it is in the interest of Abkhaz society to provide its younger generation with opportunities to study both in Georgia and abroad. Conversely, the existing policy of creating artificial barriers — for example, the fact that Abkhaz legislation does not recognize diplomas issued by Georgian universities, leaving qualified young people returning to Abkhazia unable to contribute positively to its development — directly contradicts the interests of Abkhaz society.

It should also be noted that this policy of restrictions is imposed from outside. Evidence of this includes the fact that the Russian FSB itself assumes the role of intimidating students and restricting their freedom of movement.

As for the goals Russia pursues by imposing such policies on Abkhazia — let every Abkhaz reader reflect on that independently.

Gvantsa Pipia

The material was prepared within the framework of a joint project of Accent News Agency and the non-governmental organization GRASS, implemented with the financial support of the Open Information Partnership (OIP).