Russian ambassador pressing on official Minsk

Russia counts that Belarus, being the closest ally, will recognise independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Belarus Aleksandr Surikov said on Wednesday.

“It is the right of Belarus whether it will recognise the sovereignty or won’t, but frankly speaking, we count on this, because it is the closest partner of the Russian Federation,” A. Surikov told.

The ambassador emphasised “there are no such things as collective recognition in the world.” Answering the question whether there were consultations with Belarus over the matter, the ambassador noted that Alyaksandr Lukashenka had had meetings with presidents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Sochi. “It is difficult to say whether a question of recognition was discussed, the situation was different at that time,” A. Surikov added.

He didn’t exclude Abkhazia and South Ossetia would join the “union state” of Belarus and Russia, and the CIS in prospect, Interfax reports.

“I don’t exclude this possibility, but to join the “union state” they at least must be recognised by the Republic of Belarus,” A. Surikov said.

Speaking about their membership in the CIS, the ambassador said all CIS members must recognise their independence in that case. “We don’t exclude development in this direction, though it is rather difficult,” he told.

“We build a “union state” as a “union” of independent states. Both Belarus and Russia have the right to recognise sovereignty and independence of other states or not to do it,” the Russian diplomat said answering a question whether “union” agreements provide that allies are to support such issues.