The Belarusian parliament will not discuss the possible recognition of the former Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, a senior MP said on Wednesday.
President Alexander Lukashenko's failure to honor his promise to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia has strained relations between Moscow and Minsk.
"The recognition of these republics is the exclusive prerogative of the head of state," said Igor Karpenko, head of an international affairs commission in the lower house of the Belarusian parliament.
Parliament is simply not in a position to consider such an issue, he added.
Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states after a brief war with Georgia in August 2008. Only Nicaragua, Venezuela and the tiny Pacific island of Nauru have followed suit. Georgia considers the two regions part of its sovereign territory.
MINSK, February 16 (RIA Novosti)
