BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
27/02/2009
Source in Russian Foreign Ministry: Pressure on Belarus to not recognize Abkhazia, S. Ossetia is shocking
Moscow - Russia is shocked by the pressure put by Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg on Belarus not to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and sees it as an attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and Belarus, a high-ranking Russian Foreign Ministry official told Interfax.
"The statement made by Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, who said that Belarus would have serious problems with participation in the Eastern Partnership with the EU if it recognizes the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, cannot be called anything but politically shocking," the source said.
"Schwarzenberg's statement cannot be seen as anything but pressure exercised by the country chairing the EU on the sovereign state of Belarus. Such a non-constructive and confrontational approach will not promote mutual understanding and dialogue in the Geneva process," the source said.
"The motives for this statement are clear. In its words, the Czech administration favors the strengthening of cooperation and interaction with Russia and dialogue between Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia in the framework of the Geneva discussions. But in reality they are trying to drive a wedge between Russia and Belarus and place Belarus into an awkward position," said the source.
"On this background, Schwarzenberg's statement goes beyond the framework of diplomatic decency and is associated with a language of Cold War-era ultimatums," said the source.
On February 23, the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EU countries invited five former Soviet republics (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine) to take part in a cooperation program. The ministers said Belarus could join those countries.
Source:
http://www.kyivpost.com/world/36395
Archive
Subscribe Daily Newsletter:
Belarus News and Analysis Donate:
