Belarus promises to recognize Abkhazia, South Ossetia: Medvedev

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has promised to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday.

Mr Medvedev was cited by RIA Novosti news agency saying that Lukashenko made the promise in the presence of several Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders,

He told media in Sochi that Russia would like other countries to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia but this will "not be a goal in itself."

"We are interested in their recognition. But this is not a goal in itself. No such task has ever been set," Medvedev said.

On Minsk's position on this issue, Medvedev said Lukashenko had earlier declared plans to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia "very shortly."

Up to date only a few countries have recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia – Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Nauru.