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Russia's Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov (file photo)

MOSCOW (Tiraspol Times) - If Kosovo’s independence is declared, Russia should reconsider its stance on Abkhazia and Pridnestrovie, Sergei Mironov, the Speaker of the Federation Council, Russia's Upper House of Parliament, said on Tuesday, referring to the two unrecognized countries whose territories are claimed by Georgia and Moldova, respectively.

" - We should make conclusions and reconsider our attitude to the known territories from a perspective of the situation around Kosovo," he told reporters on Tuesday, according to local news agency Itar-Tass.

" - Kosovo is a very dangerous international precedent that will have the most unforeseeable consequences. Many European regions want to raise the question of reconsidering their relations with countries, within which they are."

" - In case of unilateral proclamation of Kosovo’s independence, we shall observe for the first time since the Second World War forced changes of borders in Europe. Russia will take a consistent and principled stance on the Kosovo issue. We shall not turn away from this path," Mironov said.

Although both Abkhazia and Pridnestrovie already meet the requirements for statehood under international law, Russian diplomacy has so far followed a conservative line and refrained from granting formal recognition to the two 'de facto' independent countries. (With information from Itar-Tass)

See also:
» Russia ready to recognize Pridnestrovie if Kosovo gets independence [1]
» Recognition of Abkhazia in '08, with Transdniester to follow [2]

On the web:
» State Sovereignty of PMR under international law [3]