Baltics condemn breakaway recognition

Aug 27, 2008
In cooperation with BNS and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Former foreign minister Artis Pabriks also condemned the actions

RIGA- Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has condemned the decision by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to recognize the independence of Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.


Riekstins said that the decision contradicts the fundamental principles of Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, recognized by the UN Charter, The Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in Helsinki, and the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Riekstins voiced support to the principle of Georgia's territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders and called to find a political solution for the conflict in Georgia. He believes that Russia's decision does not promote settlement of the conflict.

Meanwhile, Latvian parliament lawmaker, former foreign minister and board member of organization Society For Other Politics, Artis Pabriks, believes that Russia by officially recognizing independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, has spit on international rights.

"From the point of view of international rights, Russia is acting incorrectly. Russia is attempting to relate Georgia with precedent of Kosovo, but these are completely different situations. Kosovo was a subject of lengthy discussions in the whole world, not just a decision made by one country all of a sudden. Russia thus has spit on international rights, refusing to listen to what the rest of the world has to say," said Pabriks.

He said that recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia can be compared to a card game.

 "Currently there is a game with trump cards. Russia has made its step and now wants to see the world's reaction," he said.

 "What would Russia do if somebody recognized independence of Russia's autonomous region Chechnya and Tatarstan? Russia will not be able to say that other countries are not allowed to interfere in its internal affairs, as it has just interfered in the internal affairs of the independent Georgia.

 The former minister also said that Russia is acting hypocritically and without regard to international protocol.

 “Russia in its rhetoric has often cited the Helsinki Act, signed in 1975, which settles recognition of borders. Russia cited this act also in disputes with Latvia concerning former Latvia's region of Abrene. Now Russia has forgotten the Helsinki Act and does not respect international borders," said former Latvian minister.

On August 26, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed decrees on the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as sovereign states.