The South Ossetian Foreign Ministry reacted sharply to statements by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding a plan to propose that Syria withdraw its recognition of the Republic's independence, viewing these remarks as political blackmail against the Syrian authorities and interference in the sovereign decisions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The Foreign Ministry’s statement noted that Tskhinval had taken note of von der Leyen’s words, in which she effectively and openly voiced Europe's intention to engage in political blackmail against the Syrian authorities regarding the reconsideration of relations with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
"We regard such statements as a gross violation of international law and interference in the internal affairs and sovereign decisions of independent countries," the Foreign Ministry has emphasized.
It further stated that, through her actions, the head of the European Commission is "undermining the foundations of democracy and traditional European values, which have been completely forgotten."
In the view of the South Ossetian Foreign Ministry, a policy of double standards and the promotion of Nazi ideologues and followers take precedence for "enlightened Europe."
"The peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia—having defended their right to exist at the cost of blood and immense sacrifice—have made their choice; it is not for Ms. von der Leyen or Europe to dictate what their future should be," the statement reads.
