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Unrecognized countries appeal to international law
Free and independent states exist in what was formerly the territory of the Soviet Union. But not all of them are formally recognized as independent countries. In a joint statement, three of them call for recognition of the will of their people for independence and their striving for democratic values.
Parliamentarians from three unrecognized countries came together in Abkhazia appealing for international law to be observedSUKHUMI (Tiraspol Times) - The international community cannot ignore the existence in the post-Soviet space of free states, the will of their people for independence and their striving for democratic values.
This is the message in a statement by the Council of the Inter-parliamentary Assembly of member-states of the Community for Democracy and Human Rights adopted at its fourth meeting in Sukhumi on Tuesday.
The heads of parliaments of the unrecognized republics of Abkhazia, Pridnestrovie and South Ossetia, as well as the Inter-parliamentary Assembly, participated in the meeting.
" - The very existence in the post-Soviet expanse of free states with a population of almost a million people cannot be ignored," said the statement, adding "just as it is impossible to ignore people’s will for independence, freedom and democratic values."
" - One of the main tasks of the Community and of its activity is to bring this will to the notice of the international community," the participants in the meeting declared.
- An appeal to international law
The Inter-parliamentary Assembly regards as the essence of its activity “juridical substantiation of the right to international recognition of the states of the Community, the development of democracy and harmonizing legislation.”
The phrase "juridical substantiation of the right to international recognition" is Diplomat-speak for an appeal to international law. Statements by parliamentarians in all three states make it clear that they believe that international law is on their side, and they want their independence claim to be analyzed and objectively evaluated based on international law.
In the economic area, the Assembly “is doing its utmost to create favorable conditions for the development of enterprise, economic activity and trade on the territories of these republics, for ecological safety and common guarantees of citizens’ rights.”
In order to be considered a sovereign state under international law it is necessary for a country to have a permanent population, a defined territory and a government. There is no minimum or maximum size for the population, and a state can be considered sovereign even if it doesn't control of all the area that it claims, or if parts of its territory is being disputed by other states. The most important aspect of sovereignty is its government, which must be able to make laws and govern the population and the territory without being subordinated to laws of other governments. (With information from Itar-Tass)
See also:
» United Nations petitioned by Pridnestrovie, two other unrecognized countries
A conference held at the European Parliament in Brussels concluded that unrecognized states like Pridnestrovie need a way to be heard by the world. "It is necessary to create and sustain permanent mechanisms of involvement and consultation of unrecognized state entities in the international community". This will benefit everyone, says the event's official statement. . . 
