Natella Akaba: Belarus is frankly bargaining for recognition of Abkhazia

Natella Akaba, Secretary of the Public Chamber of Abkhazia and Chair of the Association "Women of Abkhazia" has treated the Belarus' position on recognition of Abkhazia's independence as "frank bargaining." She made this statement in the TV Programme "Akhtuskua" (Events) on the Abkhazian State TV Channel.

"We are all witnessing an absolutely frank bargaining and see how President of Belarus tries to extract particular benefits for his country and for himself as a leader, in order to extend his political existence, by lobbying between the European Union and Russia; the latter, as we know, has rendered significant material aid of Belarus," Ms Akaba said.

In her opinion, "today, the EU is striving to involve former USSR countries in the so-called 'Eastern Partnership', including Belarus, Azerbaijan and some other countries, which can very conditionally be treated as democratic."

"As a result of the recent Azerbaijani referendum, the incumbent President Ilham Aliev became in fact the eternal leader of Azerbaijan. And it all happens under silent approval of the European Union. And again the question arisesdo we really have such values, which have become just buzz words, or are they just tools for politics tricks?" Natella Akaba has asked.

"I'd not at all give this serious value to recognition or non-recognition of Abkhazia's independence by Belarus," said the Secretary of the Public Chamber. "For us, recognition by some large European players is much more important, which would create much better guarantees of stability and safety - both political and military."

: "Belarus can consider recognitions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2009," "Bakradze: Tbilisi is ready to dialogue with Sukhumi and Tskhinvali."