Khrol: The new Belarusian parliament to consider request for Abkhazia and South Ossetia’s recognition
3- 8.10.2008, 13:23
At a press-conference on October 8 in Moscow the deputy Secretary of State, a member of the Standing Committee of the “union state” Vasily Khrol stated that the newly elected “parliament” of Belarus can consider the request to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia if official request on this issue would be received from them.
It is informed by the BelaPAN with the reference to RIA Novosti.
“We have never faced such a problem in our parliamentary practice, to recognize or not recognize a state, but in case of receiving an official request, the newly elected Belarusian parliament will consider such a possibility and would act in the framework of interests of the “union state” of Russia and Belarus,” Vasily Khrol said.
As Alyaksandr Lukashenka said in an interview to Western journalists on September 19, he would like the new “parliament” to express their opinion on this matter.
“Maybe they would have other arguments and facts I do not know. I believe that nobody is pushing us, and we can take in the situation quietly. Some time will pass, and we will adopt a decision after discussing this issue,” A. Lukashenka noted.
On September 24 in an interview to BelaPAN Russian Ambassador Alexander Surikov stated that Russia is interested in recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Belarus. As said by the diplomat, Russia understands that the “process shouldn’t be greatly pressed and hurried up”.
“We believe Belarus should straighten out its present relations with these enclaves, what will happen in the perspective, and treat this question judiciously,” A. Surikov said.
On September 25 letters with personal addresses of rulers of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Sergei Bagapsh and Eduard Kokojty with a request to recognize independence of these territories by Belarus were received by Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
In the letter to the ruler of South Ossetia Alyaksandr Lukashenka informed that the issue of South Ossetia’s recognition is to be considered by the new “national assembly” of Belarus.
