Lukashenko: in the near future Belarus will recognize Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's independence

Belarus will recognize Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's independence in the near future, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stated. Thus, Belarus can become the third country, after Russia and Nicaragua, who recognized the independence of these republics.

We remind you that on August 26 President of Russia Dmitri Medvedev signed decrees on recognition of Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's independence. On September 5, President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega did the same.

"Time will come, and we, probably, same as in Russia, shall consider recognition of South Ossetia," said Mr Lukashenko. "We have parliamentary elections now, the parliament will come, and they will address the issue of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We cannot keep silent."

"The issue of recognition or non-recognition of South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence is not only the issue of Russia's want or unwant," the RIA "Novosti" quotes Lukashenko as saying. The Belarusian President has noted that for a long time he has warm relations with President of Abkhazia. "Back at the start of the CIS we blocked the resolution on Abkhazia's blockade proposed by Georgia," Alexander Lukashenko has noted.