Researchers consider Georgian-Abkhazian relations of the last two decades in the context of bipolar confrontation between ethnic Georgians and Abkhazians. According to the author of the article, Abkhazia is not a bipolar society in which pro-Russian Abkhazians dominate over non-Abkhazians, partly Georgian-oriented (Mingrelians), but rather a sphere of multi-ethnic interests and aspirations. The main focus of this work is on two Abkhazian transnational ethnic and confessional minorities-Armenians and Muslims. The purpose of the article is to find out their role in the internal political life of Abkhazia and in Abkhazian-Georgian relations. Keywords: transnational actors, interstate relations, Black Sea frontier, Armenians, Muslims, Armenian Apostolic Church, Turkish Diyanet, Council of Muftis of Russia. Only recently have works begun to appear that demonstrate the important role of transnational minorities in Abkhazian politics: Mingrelians, Armenians, Russians, and representatives of other Slavic peoples [Trier, Lohm, Szakonyi, 2010; O'Loughlin, Kolossov, and Toal, 2011, p. 1-36; Matsuzato, 2009, p. 239-262]. A survey conducted by O'Loughlin and his colleagues in Abkhazia in March 2010 found that 79% of ethnic Abkhazian respondents supported the independence of the republic, while 20% supported its accession to Russia. On the contrary, 51% of local Armenians, who are traditionally considered like-minded Abkhazians, hoped for Abkhazia to become part of Russia, while only 44% of them preferred to live in an independent republic. The latter point of view was supported by as many as 48% of the Mingrelians, who are considered to be a Georgian sub-ethnic group; the opinions of the remaining Abkhazian Mingrelians were divided with a slight margin in favor of reunification with Georgia (about 15%) in relation to those in favor of joining Russia (less than 10%) [O'Loughlin, Kolossov, Toal, 2011, p. 31 - 33]. Their position can be described using the "triadic nexus" model pro ... Read more