List of states with limited recognition

Limited Recognition States

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List of states with limited recognition refers to sovereign geopolitical entities that have declared independence but whose status is not universally recognized by other sovereign states. These entities often have de facto control over their territory and government but lack wide international recognition. The issue of recognition is complex and involves political, legal, and sometimes military factors.

Overview

The concept of limited recognition stems from the principles of international law and the sovereign state system, which is based on the Montevideo Convention of 1933. According to the convention, a state must possess a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. However, even if these criteria are met, a state may still find its sovereignty disputed or unrecognized due to political reasons, conflicts, or violations of international norms.

List of Entities

Several entities around the world claim independence and have some level of self-governance but lack wide international recognition. These include, but are not limited to:

• Abkhazia: Located in the South Caucasus, recognized by a few UN member states and considered part of Georgia by most of the international community.
• Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh): An area in the South Caucasus, declared independence from Azerbaijan, recognized by a few non-UN member entities.
• Northern Cyprus: Only Turkey recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, while the rest of the world considers it part of the Republic of Cyprus.
• Somaliland: Declared independence from Somalia in 1991, it has not received wide international recognition but maintains a stable government and institutions.
• Transnistria: A region that declared independence from Moldova in 1990, recognized by three other non-UN member states with limited recognition.
• South Ossetia: Like Abkhazia, it is located in the South Caucasus and recognized by a few UN member states but considered part of Georgia by most of the international community.

Challenges and International Relations

Entities with limited recognition face numerous challenges, including economic sanctions, limited access to international organizations, and conflicts with the states from which they declared independence. The international community remains divided on the issue of recognition, often influenced by geopolitical interests, regional stability concerns, and the principles of territorial integrity and self-determination.

See Also

• Sovereign state
• International law
• Self-determination
• Territorial integrity
• Unrecognized country