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A STATEMENT OF THE INSTITUTE OF WORLD POLICY ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECOGNITION BY UKRAINE OF SOUTH OSSETIA AND ABKHAZIA AS INDEPENDENT STATES

04:33 PM 30-4-2010

The Institute of World Policy warns the leaders of Ukraine from taking measures, which could significantly undermine Ukraine’s credibility as a member of the international community, namely, the recognition of alleged independence of two separatist entities, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.Recognition of the territories, which are still de jure part of Georgia, will call into question Ukraine’s commitment to international law. Statehood in South Ossetia and Abkhazia was not recognized by any democratic country in the world, including Belarus, Russia’s old ally. Currently, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are recognized, in addition to Russia, by only three countries: Nicaragua, Venezuela and the Republic of Nauru.

Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia will become a major obstacle to developing good relations with the European Union and the United States. The efforts of Ukraine in its European integration will be brought to a stop. Actually, Ukraine may find herself in international isolation.

In addition, by recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Ukraine will assume responsibility for eviction from those two territories of at least two hundred thousand Georgians citizens, which had happened during the last decade.

Kyiv’s support for secessionist movements in the post-Soviet space can hit as a boomerang at Ukraine, as some Russian officials have repeatedly heated separatist sentiment in some regions of our state.

The Institute of World Policy urges Ukraine’s citizens to support these reservations. As a result of recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, not only the Ukrainian authorities and Ukrainian businesses may find themselves in isolation, – which breaks contacts with our partners in the West -, but also citizens of Ukraine, who want open borders, may find themselves isolated from the European Union.