BRAMA, May 12, 2010, 9:00 AM ET
Press release
STATEMENT BY THE INSTITUTE OF WORLD POLICY ABOUT THE POSSIBLE RECOGNITION BY UKRAINE OF SOUTH OSSETIA AND ABKHAZIA AS INDEPENDENT STATES
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 Russia's old ally Belarus. Abkhazia and South Ossetia are currently recognized by only three countries besides Russia: 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 the eviction from those two territories of at least two hundred thousand Georgians citizens, which took place during the last decade.
Kyiv's support for secessionist movements in the post-Soviet space can boomerang in Ukraine, inasmuch as some Russian officials have been routinely heating up separatist sentiment in certain regions of Ukraine.
The Institute of World Policy urges Ukraine's citizens to support the concerns against recognition. Recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states breaks contacts with our partners in the West and as well as with citizens of Ukraine who want open borders. Moreover, Ukrainian authorities and Ukrainian businesses may find themselves isolated from the European Union.
Alyona Getmanchuk
Director of the Institute of World Policy
www.iwp.org.ua
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