President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that to abandon recognition of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in 2008, he was advised by the EU high representative for foreign policy Javier Solana. Stream interview of the head of state to Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon is available on YouTube.
According to Lukashenko, Solana said if this is done, Belarus will disconnect from the settlement of the international interbank system SWIFT.
“after some time I meet with [Russian President] Dmitry Medvedev and he raises the question of recognition. He correctly raised the question, we are allies, we, we. I told him, Dim, I now sign the decree, but the first, second, fifth, eighth, tenth. You sign a decree and warrant me that, subject to the power SWIFT. He said to me, you know that it is mainly economic issues, and that we have deals with the government”, — he complained that Russia declined to reimbursement of Belarus for losses from possible economic sanctions.
A decree on recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russia in August 2008 were signed by the then President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev after unsuccessful attempt of Georgia to return South Ossetia under its control. The independence of South Ossetia has recognized Syria, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru. On the recognition of Abkhazia in addition to these four countries, said Vanuatu. Belarus independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are not recognized.
