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The European Union warned Belarus on Monday that the country’s prospects of drawing closer to the bloc would be undermined if the government in Minsk fell into line with Russia by recognizing the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
In April the EU will decide whether to extend a relaxation of political sanctions against Belarus and whether to invite the country to take part in a new initiative to strengthen ties with East European nations.
But the thaw in relations could be complicated by the possibility of a parliamentary vote in Minsk over recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, whose independence was recognized by Moscow after the brief war in August between Russia and Georgia over the enclaves.
Speaking after a meeting in Brussels, Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg of the Czech Republic, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, described the decision as one for the Parliament of Belarus but added that such a step would leave Minsk isolated.
“If they recognize South Ossetia and Abkhakzia,” said Schwarzenberg, “it would create a very, very difficult situation for Belarus because Belarus would be out of the European consensus.”
