As the parliament issues a statement to world leaders, Abkhazia’s de facto authorities wait for the international response to their calls for recognition.

Below is an article first published by the United Nations Association of Georgia and reproduced by ReliefWeb:

The parliament of […] Abkhazia appealed to the international community on March 7 [2008] to recognize its independence, Apsnipress news agency reported.

It passed two separate statements - one appealing to Russia's lower and upper houses of Parliament and another one to the UN Secretary General, the CIS and world leaders.

"After the recognition of the Kosovo's independence by a large number of Western states, the geopolitical situation has changed significantly," the appeal to the international community reads. 'International recognition of the Republic of Abkhazia will foster peace and stability in the Caucasus.'

A similar appeal calling for international recognition has also been made by the South Ossetian […] authorities.