Lukashenka in fact recognized independence of Abkhazia (Video)

The statements by the Belarusian dictator he made in Sochi during a meeting with Sergei Bagapsh demonstrate that the Belarus authorities have de facto recognized independence of Abkhazia.

The first words the Belarusian dictator said at the meeting with Bagapsh show his recognizing of Abkhazia. “The number of things to deal with always increases after gaining independence. We will be glad if Belarus’ participation will resolve more problems in this region,” Lukashenka said.

Sergei Bagapsh, in turn, said about his readiness to “closely cooperate with Belarus in economic areas” and even expressed an intention to spend a billion Russian rubles on MAZ automobiles purchasing. The sides also shared their view on the development of tourism and recreation for children as well as the establishment of cooperation in the area of higher education.

Statement by Lukashenka, quoted by his press service, de facto recognizes independence of Abkhazia. The fact of meeting and statements about cooperation in a number of sectors demonstrate that official Minsk is ready to conduct business with Sukhumi.

Moreover, the report about the meeting between Alyaksandr Lukashenka and the leader of the unrecognized republic shown on ONT channel says that “it has been the fifth top-level meeting for the last time”. The Belarusian ruler has already met with presidents of Serbia, Armenia, Russia, and the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy. So, the official TV ranged Sergei Bagapsh among Javier Solana, Dmitry Medvedev, Serzh Sargsyan, and Boris Tadic.

Even German politologist Alexander Rahr, loyal to the Belarusian authorities, said about the yesterday’s meeting of Lukashenka and Bagapsh:

“I think it is a beginning of a prudent and slow recognition on Abkhazia’s independence by Belarus. Russia wants that at least the CIS countries recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia within the nearest years. I think Medvedev had a hard talk with Lukashenka in Sochi and asked him to move in this direction. That’s why Lukashenka has faced serious problems with the European Union, because the EU is beginning to nail him down now. If Belarus recognizes these republics, it may forget about the rapprochement with the EU,” the politologist believes.