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International recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia began on August 26 2008, when the President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, recognized the two breakaway Georgian regions amidst the ceasefire during the 2008 South Ossetia war and appealed to all other countries to follow this step. Abkhazia and South Ossetia have unilaterally proclaimed independence from the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic and Georgia several times since 1990 and have recognized each other since November 17 2006.
States which have made statements on the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
States that formally recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent
UN member states
| Country | Date of recognition | Status of reciprocal diplomatic relations | International organisations membership | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Russia |
August 26, 2008 | President Dmitry Medvedev has instructed the foreign ministry to open talks with Abkhazia and South Ossetia on establishing diplomatic relations with Russia. |  Permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Rotating President of the UNSC at the time of recognition  CIS member state |
Other entities
| Entity | Date of recognition | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | .svg){kind=spacer} Transnistria
|
November 17 2006. Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria mutually recognised each other in November 2006. | Transnistria is an unrecognized breakaway republic within the internationally recognised borders of Moldova, with the official status of an autonomous territory. |
States that have yet to decide or do not recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia
UN member states
| State | Notes | International organisations membership |
|---|---|---|
 Australia |
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said that "the declaration overnight by Russian President Medvedev I don't believe is a helpful contribution. Indeed some may regard that as provocative. I don't think it helps circumstances in Georgia and I don't think it helps relationships generally between Russia and the rest of the world. Australia respects the territorial integrity of Georgia and our ongoing position is that we believe that Russia should abide by the ceasefire effected through the European Union and President Sarkozy and return its forces to the positions they occupied on August 6 and 7." | |
 Austria |
Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik said in a statement that "this step goes against all the principles of Georgian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, which Russia has repeatedly accepted in the UN Security Council. The Georgian conflict must be solved through dialogue and international mediation, not through unilateral measures." |  EU member state
|
 Belarus |
Belarusian MPs said they supported Russia's move to accept the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. MP Sergei Kostian said "I think it was an absolutely correct decision. All responsible people should support Russia, so as to put an end to the unilateral influence in the world of the US and the European Union. Have the US and the West forgotten, how they accepted Kosovo's independence, how they bombed Yugoslavia, are bombing Iraq, and have forgotten Afghanistan?". MP Sergei Gaidukevich said "Russia has irrevocably got up off of her knees and has announced that she is a major state able to influence the geopolitical situation in the world ... and she has begun to act using the language of the US, on the basis of her interests, without worrying about the dissatisfaction of other countries." | CIS member state
|
 Belgium |
Belgian foreign minister Karel De Gucht called the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia unacceptable and a violation of the territorial integrity of Georgia. He added that Russia has created a dangerous precedent that threatens the stability of Europe. | EU member state NATO member state Non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of Russia's recognition
|
 Brazil |
Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said "Of course, we are still analysing the full purport of this latest development". | |
 Bulgaria |
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dimitar Tsanchev said "The decision of Russian authorities to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is causing serious worry. Bulgaria once again re-iterates its unconditional support for the independence, sovereignty and internationally recognised borders." | EU member state NATO member state |
 Canada |
Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Emerson, issued the statement on the situation in Georgia saying that "Canada is gravely concerned about Russia’s recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This recognition violates Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and is contrary to UN Security Council resolutions supported by Russia, as well as to the six-point peace plan brokered by President Nicolas Sarkozy on behalf of the EU." | NATO member state |
 Croatia |
President Stjepan Mesić stated that he is worried over the Russian decision and said that "such a decision makes the complex situation in the region even more complex". | EU candidate member state Non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of Russia's recognition
|
 Cyprus |
Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou has said that that relations of Russia and Cyprus are very close but on the other hand Cyprus supports "the respect and protection of the territorial integrity of states, and this is a principle which the Republic of Cyprus supports and supported in the case of Kosovo, so developments of the past few days in Georgia have worried us." | EU member state |
 Czech Republic |
Czech MFA issued a statement calling Russia's action "an attack on the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia." | EU member state NATO member state |
 Denmark |
Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller declared "unconditional support for Georgia's territorial integrity." | EU member state NATO member state |
 Estonia |
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated “Russia’s move is a deliberate breach of international law and the principles of stability in Europe. Estonia, like all European Union and NATO member states, adheres firmly to the principles of Georgia’s territorial integrity,” | EU member state NATO member state |
 Finland |
Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said that "the recognition of independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates fundamental OSCE principles. As all OSCE participating States, Russia is committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others. Russia should follow OSCE principles by respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. Russia should immediately withdraw all troops from Georgia and implement the ceasefire agreement, including the modalities defined in the 16 August letter of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The international community cannot accept unilaterally established buffer zones." | EU member state
|
 France |
The French Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "We consider this is a regrettable decision and I recall our attachment to the territorial integrity of Georgia." | Permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) EU member state NATO member state |
 Germany |
Chancellor Angela Merkel said "this contradicts the principle of territorial integrity, a principle based on the international law of nations and for this reason it is unacceptable." | EU member state NATO member state |
 Georgia |
Deputy foreign minister Giga Bokeria said: "This is an unconcealed annexation of these territories, which are a part of Georgia." | CIS member state (Georgian Parliament voted unanimously to withdraw from the CIS on 14 August 2008)
|
 Greece |
Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis stated that among the principles of Greek foreign policy is "respect for the independence and territorial integrity of states." Furthermore, she expressed the Greek dismay at today’s developments and the subscription to the French Presidency’s statement condemning the decision to recognise the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in their secession from Georgia. | EU member state NATO member state |
 Hungary |
The Hungarian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, regretting the decision of the Russian government and stating that "these decisions do not serve the stability of the Caucasus region and do not advance negotiations over a settlement of the very conflict which has produced severe humanitarian and material consequences." | EU member state NATO member state |
 Ireland |
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin stated in a statement that "This deeply regrettable decision is contrary to the principles of Georgia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Moreover, it can only complicate the urgent task of finding political solutions to the acute difficulties in the region and to the wider international tensions which have developed over the past weeks." | EU member state
|
 Israel |
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on August 10 2008 that Israel "recognizes Georgia's territorial integrity." | |
 Italy |
Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said "The move does not apply in an international legal framework. An ethnic-based balkanisation of the Caucasus is a serious danger for all". | EU member state NATO member state Non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of Russia's recognition
|
 Japan |
Yasuaki Tanizaki, director general of the Japanese foreign ministry's European bureau, said "Our country is gravely concerned about the move. Our country hopes that Russia ... will take responsible actions for the region's stability." | |
 Latvia |
Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins condemned Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Stating that "(S)uch a decision is contrary to the principles of Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are recognised by the United Nation's Charter, the Final Act of the Helsinki Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the UN Security Council resolutions." | EU member state NATO member state |
 Lithuania |
Lithuania's Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas said that Russia's decision to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia was a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. | EU member state NATO member state |
 Luxembourg |
A joint Ministry of State and Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement states "We noted with regret the decision taken by the Russian authorities to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, a decision contrary to the basic principles of the UN Charter and the OSCE. It is contrary with the obligations which Russia took on several occasions at the time of Security Council resolution votes, in particular Resolution 1808" | EU member state
|
 Norway |
Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre said that "Norway emphasizes the use of peaceful means in the efforts to settle conflicts in Europe, based on the UN's assumption of respect for territorial integrity. A recognition of the breakaway Georgian regions are in breach of these assumptions. And it is not a constructive contribution to a long range and peaceful solution to the conflict." | |
 Poland |
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called for respect for Georgia's territorial integrity. | EU member state NATO member state |
 Portugal |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that: "The respect for the sovereignty of the Georgia inside of its internationally recognized borders has been permanently underlined for United Nations, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe." | EU member state NATO member state |
 Romania |
Romanian Foreign Ministry said that "Russia's recognition of the independence of Abhazia and South Ossetia represent a regrettable and legally ungrounded unilateral act". | EU member state NATO member state |
 Serbia |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that Serbia "respects international law and has a principled policy of preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of internationally recognized states, above all of the Republic of Serbia. Serbian officials have continuously warned that the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo and Metohija, just as the recognitions of this illegal act, could have the nature of a precedent and destabilize other regions in the world. It can be surmised, with regret, that these predictions have come true". | |
 Slovakia |
Statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Slovakia "disapproves of these steps and confirms the main principles, based on the longstanding position of the Slovak Republic regarding Georgia and the solution of conflicts on its territory. These principles are: sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders and solution of the conflicts exclusively by peaceful means and talks in compliance with the international law." The statement also said that "the Slovak government, as one of few EU member states, can insist on the principle of the territorial integrity of Georgia, as it has done also in the case of Serbia and Kosovo." | EU member state NATO member state |
 Spain |
Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos said that the Government of Spain regrets the decision of Russia. He also said that this decision by Moscow is "unacceptable" and "not conducive to creating the conditions necessary for settlement of the conflict between Russia and Georgia". Moratinos reiterated the "need to fully respect the principles of international law, in particular the territorial integrity of states, in this case, of Georgia." In addition, he recalled that this is the stance that "Spain has always maintained", an allusion to the opposition of the Spanish Government to recognition of the Kosovo independence. | EU member state NATO member state |
 Sweden |
Foreign secretary Carl Bildt condemns Russia's recognition, saying that "the Russian government leadership now has chosen this route means they have chosen a policy of confrontation, not only with the rest of Europe, but also with the international community in general". | EU member state
|
 Turkey |
A Foreign Ministry statement on August 26, 2008 declared "Turkey attaches importance to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and is highly concerned about the recent developments. Turkey is of the opinion that this conflict should be resolved through peaceful means." | EU candidate member state NATO member state |
 Ukraine |
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Grigoriy Nemirya stated that Kyiv took unchangeable and principal position to support Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement calling the recognition a "gross violation of norms and principles of the international law, bilateral and multilateral agreements, in particular the United Nations Charter and Helsinki Accords. Actual annexation of part of Georgian territory through creation and support of the puppet regimes certifies a reanimation of doctrine of „right of force” in Russian Federation for solving of international problems. Ukraine categorically reprobates an adventurous decision of Russia to recognize the self-declared independence and calls for international community to combine efforts in relation to absolute confirmation and observance of territorial integrity of Georgia and implementation of the undertaken international obligations of Russia". It also said that Commonwealth of Independent States are bound to respect the territorial integrity of other CIS states, in this case Georgia. Speaker of Parliament Arseniy Yatsenyuk said "only the United Nations can rule on this question. This is factually a violation of international law."
President Victor Yushchenko stressed that Ukraine does not support the decision of Russia to recognize independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "We are sorry about adoption of such a decision. For Ukraine it is unacceptable therefore we cannot support the position", - he said.
Viktor Yanukovich, head of Ukraine's opposition Party of Regions, said "Ukraine should respect the will of the peoples of Abkhazia and South Ossetia."|| | |
 United Kingdom |
Foreign Secretary David Miliband accused Russian president Dmitry Medvedev of "inflaming" the crisis. He said that "the announcement by President Medvedev that Russia will recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia is unjustifiable and unacceptable. It will also not work. It is contrary to the principles of the peace agreement, which Russia recently agreed, and to recent Russian statements. It takes no account of the views of the hundreds of thousands of Georgians and others who have been forced to abandon their homes in the two territories. We fully support Georgia's independence and territorial integrity, which cannot be changed by decree from Moscow." He called on Russia to "abide by international law as the basis for resolving this crisis" and stated that he will assemble the "widest possible coalition against Russian aggression". | Permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) EU member state NATO member state |
 United States |
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said the decision was "regrettable". President George W. Bush condemned the actions taken by the Russian authorities and called on them to "reconsider this irresponsible decision". President Bush also said the two areas are "within the internationally recognized borders of Georgia, and they must remain so." | Permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) NATO member state |
Other entities
| Entity | Notes |
|---|---|
 Kosovo |
President of Kosovo, Fatmir Sejdiu, said that Kosovo cannot serve as an example for Russia to recognize South Ossetia or Abkhazia. He said "We have always stressed that Kosovo has special characteristics. That it is sui generis and it cannot be used as a precedent for other conflict zones, areas or regions". He did not comment on Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but said that Kosovo was "on the side of great world powers" on that issue. |
Other relevant entities
International governmental organisations
| International organisation | Notes |
|---|---|
| Council of Europe | Secretary General Terry Davis said "The unilateral recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by the Russian Federation violates the territorial integrity of a fellow Council of Europe member state. It jeopardises prospects for a negotiated settlement of the dispute about the future status of these two regions. Russia cannot have it both ways. In the past, Russia has strongly supported the principle of territorial integrity. The decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia must strike any objective observer as being inconsistent with this principle. The ultimate victim of this decision is the international credibility of the Russian Federation. The Russians cannot invoke international law only when they feel like it." |
| NATO | Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said "this is in direct violation of numerous UN Security Council resolutions regarding Georgia's territorial integrity, resolutions that Russia itself has endorsed. Russia's actions in recent weeks call into question Russia's commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus. NATO firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and calls on Russia to respect these principles." |
| OSCE | OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said "the recognition of independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates fundamental OSCE principles. As all OSCE participating States, Russia is committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others." |
| United Nations |
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated that "the question of recognition of states is a matter for sovereign states to decide. Today's developments may have wider implications for security and stability in the Caucasus. The secretary-general regrets that ongoing efforts to find a common solution on the way forward in the crisis in Georgia within the Security Council may be complicated". |
Other organizations
| Organization | Notes |
|---|---|
 Hamas |
A spokesman for the Palestinian group Hamas welcomed the diplomatic recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He said that there were similarities between the situations of the Abkhazian and South Ossetian peoples, and the Palestinian people. The spokesman said: "We, Palestinians, also struggle to attain recognition for our rights, the main of which is the right to be an independent state. We hope that the decision of Moscow becomes the beginning of recognition of peoples which combat for freedom and justice." |
 Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People (Crimea in Ukraine) |
Mustafa Cemilev, the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People stated that recognition by Russia was a dangerous precedent, even for Russia itself, since there are many pro-independence moves inside the Russian Federation, including movements in Chechnya, Tatarstan and Bashkortostan. He expressed misgiving that the same situation could be repeated by Russia in Crimea, (a part of the Ukraine), if Ukrainian authorities continue to be only a spectator. |
References
- "Presidential statement". Kremlin website. 2008-08-26. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ "Абхазия, Южная Осетия и Приднестровье признали независимость друг друга и призвали всех к этому же". Newsru. 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- Указ «О признании Республики Южная Осетия»
- Указ «О признании Республики Абхазия»
- Russia opens talks on diplomatic ties
- Herd, Graeme P. (2003). Security Dynamics in the Former Soviet Bloc. Routledge. ISBN 041529732X.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Zielonka, Jan (2001). Democratic Consolidation in Eastern Europe. Oxford University Press. ISBN 019924409X.
- Smith not impressed by Russian stance
- Smith to hold talks with Russia over rebel provinces
- Austria condemns Russian move, urges international mediation
- Belarus MPs support Russia recognition of breakaway regions
- http://www.deredactie.be/cm/de.redactie/buitenland/080826_Georgie_reacties
- Smith not impressed by Russian stance
- Bulgaria "worried" by Russia's recognition of South Ossetia, Abkhazia independence
- "Statement by Minister Emerson on Situation in Georgia - Canadian MOFA" international.gc.ca 26 August 2008 Link accessed 26/08/08
- Mesić zabrinut zbog ruskog priznanja Južna Osetije i Abhazije
- Cyprus government 'concerned' about developments in Georgia
- ^ EU leaders condemn Russia in shadow of Kosovo
- Estonia Disapproves Russia’s Decision to Recognise the Independence of Georgia’s Separatist Regions
- "OSCE Chairman condemns Russia's recognition of South Ossetia, Abkhazia independence" formin.finland.fi 26 August 2008
- Reaction to Russia's recognition of rebels, BBC, August 26, 2008.
- ^ In quotes: Russia support for rebels
- ^ Russia recognises Georgian rebels
- Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Official Site
- The Hungarian Foreign Ministry regrets that the Russian President signed the decree recognising South Ossetia and Abkhazia - Statement of the ministry. The Foreign Ministry of Hungary. Retrieved on 2008-08-26.
- Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs on Russian Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
- [http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFAHeb/Spokesman/2008/MFA+statement+on+the+situation+in+Georgia+100808.htm Israeli MoFA website - Hebrew
- Italy says Russian recognition of rebel regions lacks legal basis
- Japan voices "grave concern" over Russia's recognition of rebel regions
- Foreign Minister Riekstins condemns Russia's decision to recognise independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
- Baltic states condemn Russian recognition of Georgian regions
- Déclaration conjointe de Jean-Claude Juncker et de Jean Asselborn suite à la reconnaissance par la Russie de l’indépendance de l’Abkhazie et de l’Ossétie du Sud
- Norway regrets Russia's recognition of breakaway regions
- Poland supports Georgia over Russian recognition crisis
- Governo português acompanha "com preocupação" crise no Cáucaso, Público, August 26, 2008
- Romania: Moscow's act regarding South Ossetia, Abhazia lacks legal ground
- MFA expresses "concern" over Caucasus
- Slovak Republic disapproves of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russian Federation
- España lamenta el reconocimiento de la independencia de Osetia y Adjazia
- Moscow recognizes Georgian rebel regions, Warsaw Business Journal, August 26, 2008
- Bildt: Russia 'violating international law', The Local, August 26, 2008.
- NO:158, 26 Ağustos 2008, Gürcistan'ın bağımsızlığı hk.
- Few countries more condemn Russian President’s decree
- Заява МЗС України у зв’язку з визнанням Російською Федерацією незалежності Південної Осетії та Абхазії
- Ukraine leaders split on Russia recognition of breakaway regions
- Miliband blasts Russia move
- President Bush Condemns Actions Taken by Russian President in Regards to Georgia. Office of the Press Secretary. August 26, 2008.
- http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=08&dd=27&nav_id=315576
- Reaction to Russia's recognition of rebels, BBC, August 26, 2008.
- OSCE Chairman condemns Russia's recognition of South Ossetia, Abkhazia independence
- UN chief voices concern about Russian move on South Ossetia, Abkhazia
- "ХАМАС приветствует признание независимости Абхазии и Южной Осетии" (in Russian). Gazeta.ru. 2008-08-26.
{{cite news}}: Text "accessdate-2008-08-26" ignored (help) - Глава Меджлиса: Независимость Абхазии и ЮО является "опасным прецедентом" Template:Ru icon
See also
- 2008 South Ossetia war
- List of unrecognized countries
- South Ossetian independence referendum, 2006
- International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence