Makei: We can review question on Abkhazia and S Ossetia recognition

Defence plans, including missile defence, are being discussed with the Russian Foreign Minister.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Uladzimir Makei does not rule out the possibility of reviewing Belarus's position on recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but he stresses the decision will be taken on the basis of national interests.

“Life goes on. The issue on Belarusian-Georgian and Belarusian-Ossetian relations were discussed today during a joint sitting,” Uladzimir Makei said Tuesday at a briefing in Minsk.

“I cannot say that our position has changed, but we will analyse the situation in the post-Soviet area and take a decision on the issue basing on our national interests,” the Belarusian MFA head stressed.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who arrived in Minsk with a visit today, confirmed Russia and Belarus discussed defence plans, including missile defence issues.  

“We have a high-level group responsible for military industrial sector that recently had a meeting  in Minsk. We improve this process and upgrade the joint defence plans, including the above mentioned one,” Lavrov said in a press conference in Minsk.

“Belarus is our ally both in terms of the  CSTO membership and in the framework of the Union State,” Lavrov said.