Tbilisi, Georgia, April 2
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
NATO should form a single approach to the conflicts in Georgia and Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said at a meeting of the NATO-Georgia commission in Brussels.
The situation in Georgia and Ukraine is difficult, German foreign minister said.
"Despite the fact that currently we are not considering the Ukrainian crisis and the main theme of our meeting is Georgia and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations, yet it should be pointed out that the scenario implemented in Ukraine is similar to the event of 2008 in Georgia. I believe that NATO should form a single approach to these conflicts," Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.
Large scale military action was launched in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military.
Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. In response, Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.
A change of power took place in Ukraine on Feb.22.
The Verkhovna Rada (parliament) ousted President Viktor Yanukovych from the power, changed the constitution and scheduled presidential elections for May 25. Yanukovych said that he was forced to leave Ukraine under the threat of violence, and he remains the legally elected head of state. A number of provinces in eastern and southern Ukraine, as well as the Crimea did not recognize the legitimacy of the Rada and decided on the possibility of holding a referendum on the future fate of the regions.
In a referendum held March 16, the vast majority of residents of Crimea - 96 percent - voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. Most countries refused to recognize the referendum and its results.
Russia and Crimea signed an agreement on Crimea as well as Sevastopol city joining the Russian Federation on March 18.
Translated by L.Z.
Edited by C.N.