NO HOPE FOR RECOGNITION OF ABKHAZIA AND SOUTH OSSETIA
Submitted by christian on Wed, 05/13/2015 - 16:16
- Austria: The step taken by Russia goes against all the principles of Georgian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, which Russia has repeatedly accepted in the UN Security Council.
- Belgium: The recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is unacceptable and a violation of the territorial integrity of Georgia. Russia has created a dangerous precedent that threatens the stability of Europe.
- Bulgaria: The decision of Russian authorities to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is causing serious worry. Bulgaria re-iterates its unconditional support for the independence, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders.
- Croatia: Such a decision makes the complex situation in the region even more complex. This fait accompli policy could create an impression that the move was aimed at avoiding talks on the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Russian Federation’s action is regrettable and illegitimate.
- Czech Republic: Russia's action represents an attack on the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.
- Denmark: Unconditional support for Georgia's territorial integrity.
- Estonia: 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.
- Finland: 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. The international community cannot accept unilaterally established buffer zones.
- France: We are attached to the territorial integrity of Georgia. We cannot accept these violations of international law, of accords for security and cooperation in Europe, of United Nations resolutions and the taking of a territory by the army of a neighbouring country.
- Germany: This contradicts the principle of territorial integrity, a principle on the international law of nations, and for this reason it is unacceptable.
- Greece: Among the principles of Greek foreign policy is respect for the independence and territorial integrity of states. Greece condemns the decision to recognize the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
- Hungary: The decision of the Russian government does not serve the stability of the Caucasus region and does not advance negotiations over a settlement of the very conflict which has produced severe humanitarian and material consequences.
- Ireland: This deeply regrettable decision is contrary to the principles of Georgia's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Moreover, it can only complicate the task of finding political solutions to the acute difficulties in the region.
- Italy: The move does not apply in an international legal framework. An ethnic balkanisation of the Caucasus is a serious danger for all.
- Latvia: Latvia condemns Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Such a decision is contrary to the principles of Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are recognized 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. Latvia will never recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
- Lithuania: Russia's decision to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.
- Luxembourg: Russia's decision to recognize the independence of Akkhazia and South Ossetia is 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.
- Netherlands: For the Netherlands, the territorial integrity of Georgia within the internationally recognised borders, also earlier recognized by Russia, remains the basis for a solution to this crisis. The one-side recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Russia does not bring this solution nearer.
- Poland: Russia's decision violates international law and is an attempt to sanction the consequences of an 'unprecedented agression' by Russia against an independent Georgian state. Poland pledges an 'unwavering support' for the Georgian people.
- Portugal: The respect for the sovereignty of Georgia inside of its internationally recognized borders has been permanently underlined by the United Nations, the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
- Romania: This unilateral, regrettable and legally unfounded act can affect the situation in this area, as well as the perspectives of solving the region's conflict. As an EU member and NATO member, Romania will plead inside the international organisations it belongs to, as well as in bilateral relationships with the countries in the region for a solution that will respect the territorial integrity of Georgia.
- Slovakia: Slovakia disapproves of these steps and confirms the main principles, based on a long-standing 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 recognized borders and solution of the conflicts exclusively by peaceful means and talks in accordance with the international law. 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.
- Slovenia: We are united on the need to ensure peace, stability, territorial integrity in Georgia and the broader region and to give the region a European perspective after a meeting with Czech and Latvian colleagues.
- Spain: The decision by Moscow is unacceptable and not conducive to creating the conditions necessary for settlement of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. Spain reiterates the need to fully respect the principles of international law, in particular the territorial integrity of states, in this case Georgia. In addition, Spain recalls that this is stance that it is the stance that it has always maintained, an allusion to the opposition of the Spanish government to reognition of the Kosovo independence.
- Sweden: Sweden condemns Russia's recognition saying that the Russian government leadership has now chosen this route means that they have chosen a policy of confrontation, not only with the rest of Europe, but also with the international community in general.
- United Kingdom: Russia's recognition of 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 agreed to. 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. The United Kingdom fully supports Georgia's independence and territorial integrity, which cannot be changed by decree from Moscow.
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