Sergey Shamba: Armenia will just have to become NATO member-state

PanARMENIAN.Net - Currently Russia has a unique and may be the last chance to keep his influence in South Caucasus; that is to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergey Shamba stated. He said, Moscow must use the Kosovo precedent and make a resolute step now, since afterwards the example of Kosovo will lose its actuality. "Georgia and Azerbaijan will become NATO members, after which Armenia will just have to follow their example. Russia's influence in the region will reduce to zero. The only buffers between Russia and NATO in the region will become Abkhazia and South Ossetia. These countries still are ready to defend Russian interests. But soon political figures of younger generation may come to power there, who unlike us have not experienced war. And we know how they will behave themselves occurring in the circle of NATO member-states," S. Shamba stressed. "Of course, reaction of the world community to Russia's recognition of Abkhazia will be negative. But any Russian firm actions have always aroused dissatisfaction in the West. If Russia does not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia now it will mean that politicians in Moscow do not view South Caucasus as a zone of Russian interests. Now or never: either recognition of unrecognized, or complete loss of influence in the region," the Abkhazian FM added, "Moskovski Comsomolets" reports.