Bagapsh: Abkhazia, South Ossetia Also Have Right to Self-Rule

“The decision of the International Court once more confirms the right of Abkhazia and [fellow breakaway Georgian region] South Ossetia to self-rule,” said Sergei Bagapsh. Photo by gdb.rferl.org

The president of the Russian-backed breakaway Georgian territory of Abkhazia has welcomed the ruling by top UN judges that Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia was not illegal for his own reasons.

“The decision of the International Court once more confirms the right of Abkhazia and [fellow breakaway Georgian region] South Ossetia to self-rule,” said Sergei Bagapsh.

According to him from a historical and legal point of view, Abkhazia and South Ossetia have much more right to independence than Kosovo.

UN judges ruled on Thursday that Kosovo secession in 2008 had not broken international law.

Their non-binding decision found no reason to prohibit the Serbian province's declaration, made after nine years of de facto independence.

Belgrade, which lost Kosovo after a NATO bombing campaign, argues the move violated its territorial integrity.

Kosovo's government hopes the result will prompt many countries that have not recognised an independent Kosovo to follow the 69 states that have done so.

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