February 27, 2008 - 13:59 AMT
RF Duma to hold hearing on unrecognized republics on March 13
The Russian State Duma will hold a hearing on unrecognized republics on March 13.

"Russian parliamentarians will discuss the situation in self-proclaimed republics of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdnistria and perspectives of their recognition," said Konstantin Zatulin, first deputy chair of the parliamentary committee on CIS affairs.

Leaders of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transdnistria and Nagorno Karabakh as well as representatives from Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Armenia will be invited to the parliamentary hearing.

Zatulin said that the process of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be launched, as these self-proclaimed republics petitioned Russia for recognition long before the Kosovo developments, Deutsche Welle reports.