Recognition of independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), two Russian-occupied Georgian regions, by Belarus is not on the agenda, Georgian foreign ministry spokesperson Mari Narchemashvili said on Monday, following comments made by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
The official comments followed an interview involving Lukashenko, who was quoted by Russian news agency TASS as not excluding the possibility of recognising the independence of the two occupied territories.
The news agency quoted the president as commenting “as soon as I understand and the president [Vladimir Putin] tells me there is a need for this” when asked about a possibility of making the move.
Narchemashvili said Belarus remained committed to the fundamental principles of international law in not recognising Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, adding Russian media had misinterpreted the interview on purpose.
Russia recognised the independence of the two regions on August 26, 2008, following the five-day Russia-Georgia war earlier that month.
Only four other countries – Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria – have since shared Russia’s position on the status of the territories, with the rest of the international community viewing them as Georgian regions occupied by Russia.