Has Belarus made first step toward recognition of Abkhazia and S. Ossetia?

The 34th session of the parliamentary assembly (PA) of Belarus-Russia “union”, held in Moscow on Friday, granted an observer status to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The decision was passed with one vote.

The requests of the parliaments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, asking to grant this status to them, were heard at the session.

According to Interfax, the discussion was short, and the participants of the session asked just one question: does the law allow to adopt a positive decision on this issue, when Belarus hasn’t officially recognised independence of these republics.

Member of the PA, chairman of the foreign policy commission Mikalai Charhinets said that the decision of giving an observer status to the parliaments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia “by no means is pressure” and “this is a question of parliament cooperation”.

According to Charhinets, he sees no problems in giving an observer status to the parliaments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The PA adopted the decision unanimously.