Abkhazia to Use Russia’s Dialing Code

Authorities in breakaway Abkhazia said on Friday the region would adopt Russia’s +7 international dialing code starting from November 15, the Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reported.

Russia’s dialing code would apply to both fixed (840) and cellular (940) operators, Kristian Bzhania, the Abkhaz leader’s spokesman said.

He also said that Georgia’s international dialing code, which is currently used by Abkhazia, would remain active, in parallel to the Russian one, only till January 1, 2010.

Russia, which recognized Abkhazia’s independence following the August war, signed cooperation memorandum with Sokhumi in the field of communication in September, 2009.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry said following signing of that agreement on September 30 that Russia’s decision to share its dialing code with breakaway Abkhazia contravened standards developed by International Telecommunication Union, one of the UN’s specialized agencies.

“The Georgian side urges respective UN authorities to prevent the aforesaid illegal actions of the Russian Federation,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry said last month.

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