Russia Does Not State to Recognize Abkhazia and South Osetia after Kosovo: Foreign Minister

Russia, Moscow, 23 January /corr. Trend R.Agayev / Russia has never stated that it recognizes Abkhazia and South Osetia, after the recognition of Kosovo's independence, said Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister. " Russia has never stated that after Kosovo, it will recognize Abkhazia and South Osetia," the Minister said at the Press Conference.

Since 1999, Kosovo, formally belonging to Serbia, has been governed by the UNO. The Kosovo Albans insist on re-gaining the independence. The West stated that it is prepared to recognize Kosovo's independence, but Belgrade stands ready to only present the autonomy. Russia supports Belgrade's position.

The Minister considers that the position of certain world forces that Russia will benefit from recognition of Kosovo's independence, is wrong. The Minister said that the Russian side well understands the destabilizing effect of the separatist process. "We recently tested this threat on ourselves. Therefore, it is possible to suspect us a little, but not in this issue," he said. "Our interests include the maintenance of the stability, but not to allow the separatism and breakup of the international law," the Minister added.