Answering the question of Vladimir Solovyov, the well-known Russian journalist about the attitude of official Minsk to the status of the Republic of Crimea (Russian Federation) and the possibility of recognizing of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, A.G. Lukashenko said that he was ready to recognize the belonging of Crimea to Russia, as well as the sovereignty of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of South Ossetia, when he understood the need for such a step.

The Republic of Abkhazia positively assesses the statement of the Belarusian leader about the possibility of recognizing the sovereignty of the Abkhazian state. Such a step on the part of Minsk would confirm the course of President A.G. Lukashenka on building of strong allied relations between Belarus and Russia.

Abkhazia is open for a full-scale dialogue with states friendly to Russia that share the just aspirations of the people of Abkhazia. Developing allied relations with Russia, Abkhazia would be interested in establishing of official contacts with the Republic of Belarus, which is a strategic ally of the Russian Federation, a member of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, a full and active member of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Collective Security Treaty Organization," - says the commentary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia.

The RA MFA hopes that the Republic of Belarus, which shares the basic international legal principles, including the principle of equality and self-determination of the people, will support the course chosen by the people of Abkhazia towards the formation of a free independent state and will follow the example of its strategic ally - the Russian Federation.