MOSCOW. March 5 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would give instructions to extend the program to provide Russian citizenship to Abkhaz citizens.
"I will direct relevant instructions to [my] colleagues, and they will further elaborate on the issues requiring careful attention together with you. We will continue this program," Putin said at a meeting with Abkhaz President-elect Badra Gunba, responding to his request to extend the mechanism of providing Russian citizenship to Abkhaz citizens.
"Over 70% of citizens of our country are citizens of the Russian Federation. There are people who did not have time to use such opportunities," the Abkhaz president said.
Gunba also asked Putin to postpone for two years the entry into effect of the law obliging Abkhaz residents to obtain Russian driving licenses to be able to cross the border.
"It could be done quicker. I understand that it could restrict the so-called traffic capacity of those wishing to obtain these documents, but I will make a request of the Interior Ministry, they will work together with you and simply increase the number of points, personnel, employees which can help you formalize it without delaying it for years ahead, but rather in a shorter timeframe," Putin said.