March 14, 2008 - 14:12 AMT
RF Duma recommends government to establish diplomatic representations in unrecognized republics
Participants of Russian Duma hearings on the unrecognized republics on the territory of Georgia and Moldova recommend the government to establish diplomatic relations with them.

On March 13, the Duma members discussed the possibility of recognizing independence of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdnistria and recommended to establish diplomatic representations in these republics, refraining from immediate recognition of their sovereignty.

"After recognition of Kosovo by several dozes of states, Russia has full authority to recognize Abkhazia's sovereignty," said Nugzar Ashuba, speaker of the Abkhazian National Assembly.

"Given the Kosovo precedent, Russia has sufficient ground to declare recognition of Abkhazia's independence, thus cementing its international weight and influence of a world power. Georgian leaders are facing an opportunity to resolve a number of social and economic problems while Georgian people will finally stop thinking about war," Mr Ashuba said, Deutsche Welle reports.