Probably everyone has heard that there are unrecognized states in the world. But not everyone knows what exactly is meant by this concept, how these countries arose, and what caused their appearance. Let's try to figure it out.

Unrecognized states is a term used to describe regions that have independently declared sovereignty. At the same time, these countries are not recognized or partially recognized from the point of view of diplomacy. In turn, the majority of self-proclaimed states have all the characteristics of a separate country. These include:

• official name;
• attributes: flag, anthem, symbols;
• population;
• controls;
• army (usually armed forces);
• legislation.

Despite this, UN members do not consider such states individual countries and consider them as sovereign regions under the control of one or more states that are members of the UN.

There are many reasons why self-proclaimed countries could have formed. Thus, some regions separated and declared their sovereignty as a result of military actions, revolutions, armed conflicts, and national liberation struggles.

Appeared not long ago a large number of unrecognized countries, the reason for the emergence of which was the separation from the metropolises, states that previously owned the territory of the exploited country. This applies to former colonies. There are especially many of them on African continent. Most states received sovereignty and diplomatic recognition. But some entities remained in the unrecognized category.

Another option for the emergence of such states is foreign economic and foreign policy manipulations various countries. Thus, some authors (participants in world politics) created so-called “puppet states” - this was effective method to create a neutral zone between warring countries. Thanks to this, you can protect yourself from hostile armies. Such zones are often called “cordons sanitaires”

Also satellites are great way to lobby the state. Many countries of the world have resorted to this method at different stages of their development. Thus, a formally independent state is formed on a specific territory. Moreover, it is a puppet and is completely controlled by another country, which thus dictates its political and economic interests.

Which modern countries are classified as unrecognized states?

On this moment There are a number of unrecognized states that are located on different territories peace. A lot of such regions are concentrated in Somalia. Here the following states declared their sovereignty: Himan and Heb, Somaliland, Puntland, Jubaland, Avdaland, Azania.

In 2014, two unrecognized states were formed on the territory of Ukraine: . Both republics emerged as a result of a crisis that spread throughout the country. The Ukrainian authorities do not recognize the separation of these regions and their sovereignty.

Most of the territories of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions are controlled by Ukraine. And in the government of the republics they are considered separatist terrorist organizations.

None of the fully recognized countries considers the Luhansk and Donetsk regions to be sovereign states.

Also interesting are those countries of the world that are not exactly states, but rather state-like entities. These include Sealand and the Order of Malta.

Sealand, also known as Sealand, is a principality that is defined as a virtual state. It is located on the territory. The history of this principality is peculiar. Sealand's sovereignty was announced by Paddy Roy Bates. The former British army soldier independently appointed himself the monarch of Sealand, and named his family the ruling dynasty.

Afterwards, work began on the creation of state attributes. Surprisingly, the Batesom family has found followers who consider themselves subjects of the ruling dynasty and help in the formation of a separate state. At the moment, it is believed that Sealand's form of government is a constitutional monarchy. The country has a flag, anthem and other symbols.

The Order of Malta has greater rights than Sealand. Thus, this knightly religious order has observer status with the United Nations and is often considered a dwarf state. The country has developed diplomatic relations. It cooperates with 105 states. The Order of Malta has its own currency - the Maltese scudo.

Citizens of the country receive passports. The Order of Malta carries stamps, has its own anthem, coat of arms and other state attributes. Official language and here it is Latin.

Partially recognized states and their features

There are also a number of countries in the world that other states have partially recognized. Among them are those that control their territory in whole or in part. The latter include the following:

1. Republic of China Taiwan. This self-proclaimed republic declared independence in 1911. The country's territory is located on other small islands. For some time this country had full powers, but after the events of 1949 it was deprived of diplomatic recognition. At the moment, the state is recognized by 22 countries, has its own embassies, and establishes diplomatic relations independently.
   
2. SADR. It was founded in 1976. It is now recognized by 60 countries that are members of the United Nations, and is also partially recognized by South Ossetia. The SADR is part of the African Union. Most of the territory of the republic is part of Morocco.
3. State of Palestine. Has one of the brightest stories that is different big amount controversial situations, military conflicts. The state was self-proclaimed in 1988. Today it is recognized by 137 countries of the world: 136 of which are internationally recognized, and 1 - partially. Palestine is an observer of the United Nations. The state is divided into two parts that are not connected to each other.
   The first part is the Gaza Strip. The territory is controlled by Hamas, which is an Islamic resistance movement and political party simultaneously. Hamas is recognized by many countries as a terrorist organization. The second part of Palestine is the West Bank. The territory is partially controlled by the Palestinian national organization. The head of the PNA is the country's President Mahmoud Abbas. The 1948 war with Israel became a turning point in the history of Palestine.

   It was then that the state underwent serious changes: both parts were occupied. And in 1980, the territory of Jerusalem was annexed to Israel. In 1993, the countries signed an agreement according to which the PNA was formed, designed to find a compromise solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The PNA was supposed to exercise control over both parts of the state. But in 2006 he left the Gaza Strip, after which the Hamas group seized power in this territory.

4. Republic of Kosovo. Since 2008, this territory of Serbia has been autonomous. The official name is the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. This administrative unit declared its independence, which was recognized by 109 UN members, as well as some countries with unrecognized or partially recognized statuses.

A geopolitical entity deprived of full or partial international diplomatic recognition, but possessing all other signs of statehood (population, control over territory, system of law and administration, actual sovereignty).

The term “unrecognized states” began to be actively used in the early 1990s. In some cases, the terms “de facto countries”, “disputed countries”, “seceded” or “self-proclaimed” states, etc. are also used.

Republic of South Ossetia

The republic arose after the armed Georgian-Ossetian conflict that began in December 1990 after the decision to abolish the South Ossetian Autonomous Region. The referendum held on January 19, 1992 almost unanimously supported the declaration of independence of South Ossetia. May 29, 1992 The Supreme Council The Republic of South Ossetia adopted the Act of State Independence, after which mixed Russian-Georgian-Ossetian peacekeeping forces entered South Ossetia.

The republic is also recognized by Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Nauru. Tuvalu recognized the independence of South Ossetia in September 2011, but withdrew its recognition in March 2014.

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Armenian self-name - Artsakh)

It began in February 1988, when the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region (NKAO) announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan SSR.

On September 2, 1991, a joint session of the Nagorno-Karabakh Regional Council and the Council of People's Deputies of the Shahumyan region proclaimed the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) within the borders of the former NKAO and the Shahumyan region.

Official Baku recognized this act as illegal and abolished the autonomy of Karabakh. The armed conflict that followed lasted until May 12, 1994, when a ceasefire agreement came into force. As a result, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and several surrounding areas. Since 1992, negotiations have been ongoing on a peaceful resolution of the conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France.

Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija

It has been under the control of the UN administration since the summer of 1999, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

UN Administration and international forces KFOR, under NATO command, was introduced into the region after 78 days of bombing of Serbia by NATO aircraft. NATO intervened in the Kosovo conflict (1998-1999) on the side of local Albanians seeking independence from Serbia.

The Albanian authorities of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, with the support of the United States and a number of EU countries, unilaterally declared independence from Serbia and the creation of the Republic of Kosovo. Independence was supported by individual countries of the world.

By December 2009, the self-proclaimed state was recognized by 63 countries. Serbia, as well as Russia, China, India and a number of other countries refused to recognize the independence of the region.

Also among the unrecognized states are often mentioned the Republic of Somaliland, Tamil Eelam (in Ceylon), Islamic State Waziristan, whose independence was declared in February 2006 in the territory of northwestern Pakistan. Occasionally, Kashmir, Western Sahara, Palestine, Kurdistan and some other territories (for example, exotic Sealand) are mentioned in the same context.

The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources

About a dozen state entities are independent states in fact, but either are not recognized by other states, or are recognized by an insufficient number of them, and their status is controversial.

This is, in particular, a group of unrecognized and partially recognized states and territories, including the following:

Since 1949 - the Republic of China (most states recognize it as part of the People's Republic of China).

Since 1974 – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (most states recognize it as part of the Republic of Cyprus).

Since 1991 - Somaliland (does not have diplomatic recognition, all states recognize it as part of Somalia).

Since 1991 – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (most states recognize it as part of Azerbaijan).

Since 1991 – Republic of South Ossetia (most states recognize it as part of Georgia).

Since 1992 - the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic (most states recognize Transnistria as part of Moldova Moldova).

Since 1994 – Republic of Abkhazia (most states recognize it as part of Georgia).

Since 2008 – Republic of Kosovo (most states recognize it as part of Serbia).

Since 2014 – Republic of Crimea (most states recognize it as part of Ukraine).

Since 2014 – Donetsk People's Republic- an unrecognized state proclaimed during the Ukrainian crisis and the Donetsk regional referendum. According to the Constitution of Ukraine, it is part of Ukraine as the Donetsk region.

Since 2014 - the Lugansk People's Republic - an unrecognized state, proclaimed during the Ukrainian crisis and the Lugansk regional referendum. According to the Constitution of Ukraine, it is part of Ukraine as the Lugansk region.

Unrecognized states – common name regions that have declared themselves sovereign states and have such signs of statehood as the presence of a population, control over territory, a system of law and administration, but at the same time do not have diplomatic recognition from UN member states, and their territory is usually regarded as member states of the UN as being under the sovereignty of one or more member states of the UN.

The unrecognized nature of a state can manifest itself not only on the diplomatic plane: there is a known case when a court of another state, when making a decision, proceeded from the fact that the unrecognized state does not legally exist, which led to the corresponding logic when analyzing an issue that concerned exclusively relations between economic entities. Passports of unrecognized states are also, as a rule, not documents that allow you to visit UN member states. At the same time, there are cases when, without recognizing independence, a recognized state recognizes certain documents issued in accordance with the legislation of an unrecognized state, including passports, as well as the legal personality of legal entities registered there.

Partially recognized states are states “not recognized by the UN, but recognized by member states of the UN”, thus their participation in international relations limited by the legal field of the states that recognize them. By non-recognition of the UN we mean the actual impossibility of admitting a state to membership in the UN, which can only happen by decision of the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. Admission requires the support of at least 9 of the 15 member states of the Security Council (noting that the 5 permanent members - the UK, the People's Republic of China, Russia, the US and France - can veto the decision by voting against it), after which the question passed to the General Assembly, where a 2/3 majority is required to pass an accession resolution. The United Nations itself, from a legal point of view, does not have any authority to recognize this or that state or government, since these issues are the prerogative of sovereign states and their governments. In addition, it should be taken into account that being a member of the UN actually does not matter in order to consider a state recognized at the level of this organization; to obtain such recognition and the opportunity to participate in organizations under the auspices of the UN, it is enough to have the status of an observer state, which is assigned by voting in General Assembly UN, decisions are made by a simple majority. The Holy See (Vatican) and the State of Palestine have this status.

Unrecognized states may be characterized by other states as separatist entities, breakaway regions, or occupied territories. Partially recognized states receive exactly the same characteristics from those states and/or international organizations who do not support their recognition.

Thus, currently being in the UN as a member or observer can be considered as a sign that a state has broad diplomatic recognition in the world. There are UN member states that are not recognized by all other UN member states.

Unrecognized states should be distinguished from virtual states - entities proclaimed by states, which, however, do not have the necessary characteristics of states.

Not all unrecognized states designate full independence and international recognition as the ultimate goal of their proclamation. Some states are seeking to obtain legal recognition for possible merger with another state. Some states consider their de facto independent status as transitional until an agreement is concluded with the central government on the conditions of existence as autonomy within single state(in the early 1990s, the Republic of Gagauzia in Moldova, many Russian republics, and currently – autonomous states on the territory of Somalia).

Unrecognized states arise due to the lack of legal continuity with previous state formations.

Conventionally, according to the method of occurrence, they can be divided into:

States formed as a result of revolutions.

States formed as a result of the national liberation struggle (separatism). For example, these include self-proclaimed states, i.e. those that declared their independence by a special declaration, law or interstate treaty: states that declared independence and state sovereignty after the collapse of the USSR. As a rule, they do not immediately receive international legal recognition.

States formed as a result of post-war division. For example: German Democratic Republic and Federal Republic of Germany; Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea; Democratic Republic of Vietnam and State of Vietnam, People's Republic of China and Republic of China. Such states initially do not recognize each other.

States that arose due to the independence of former colonies from the mother country.

States that arose due to the foreign policy games of recognized states. For example: buffer states: Far Eastern Republic, Manchukuo, etc., synonym - puppet state: Independent state Croatia, Independent State of Slovakia, Baltic countries after change political system in July 1940, etc., as well as the so-called Bantustans: Transkei, Venda, Bophuthatswana and Ciskei.

A new surge in “self-proclamation” occurred at the turn of the 1990s in connection with the collapse of the USSR and Yugoslavia and the associated ethno-territorial conflicts (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Transnistrian Moldavian Republic, Republic of Gagauzia, Republic of South Ossetia, Republic of Abkhazia, Republic of Serbian Krajina, Republic Srpska, Republic of Kosovo). The phenomenon of post-Soviet “unrecognized states” has arisen, the status of which is not defined, which, however, does not interfere with their existence. Most of these entities are, in essence, fully established states with an effective state apparatus that enjoys massive support from the population.

At the end of 1994, Gagauzia became part of Moldova as an autonomy. In 1995, Croatia regained control over the territory claimed by the Serbian Krajina. In 2000, Russia regained control over the territory it claimed Chechen Republic Ichkeria.

In 2001, the post-Soviet unrecognized states created their own Commonwealth of Unrecognized States (CIS-2).

In 2008, Russia thwarted Georgia's attempt to regain control over territory claimed by the Republic of South Ossetia.

In 2009, Sri Lanka regained control of territory claimed by Tamil Eelam.

Partially recognized states that actually control their territory: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Republic of Abkhazia, Republic of South Ossetia, Republic of Crimea.

Partially recognized states that control part of the territory claimed: Republic of China, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Republic of Kosovo, State of Palestine.

Unrecognized states: Territory former USSR– Transnistrian Moldavian Republic, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugansk People’s Republic. The territory of Somalia is Somaliland.

UN member states not recognized by some other states.

In some cases, one UN member state may not be recognized by one or more other states, despite membership in the same organization. For example, the State of Israel is not recognized by the majority of Arab and Muslim states, but is recognized as Muslim by Egypt, Jordan, as well as Turkey and a number of other states. In turn, the People's Republic of China is not recognized by states that recognize the Republic of China. The DPRK is not recognized by the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Korea is not recognized by the DPRK.

The Order of Malta is a state-like entity and has observer status at the UN. It has diplomatic relations with 104 states. Sometimes viewed as a dwarf state.

There is also 1 territory with an uncertain status. Western Sahara is a former Spanish colony. The Spanish Sahara, according to UN Declaration No. 1514, was supposed to gain independence, but in 1975, in violation of paragraph 6 of this declaration, it was divided between Morocco and Mauritania. After the Western Sahara War most of(including almost the entire coastline) is annexed by Morocco, control over the rest is exercised by the partially recognized Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

In many parts of the world there are regions whose populations are fighting for recognition of their independent statehood.

Unrecognized and partially recognized states

There are many different states on our planet. Even preschoolers know about this. But there are a number of states that are unrecognized or partially recognized. Many have heard about such formations and have even been there, for example in Abkhazia. They have their own territory, power, state symbols, some even have their own currency, the population has its own passport. But despite all the signs of statehood, UN members either partially or completely do not recognize such countries. But let’s not delve into politics; it’s better to take a closer look at the list of unrecognized and partially recognized states.

List of partially recognized states.

1. Abkhazia

We all know the sunny country that broke away from Georgia in the 90s. In 1994, the Constitution of Abkhazia was adopted.

Russia

Nicaragua

Venezuela

Nauru

South Ossetia

2. South Ossetia

The situation is similar to Abkhazia, only there are much fewer tourists here. South Ossetia has been virtually independent since 1991.

The following states recognized their independence:

Russia

Nicaragua

Venezuela

Nauru

Abkhazia

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic

Lugansk People's Republic

Donetsk People's Republic

3. Palestine

A state in the Middle East whose independence has already been recognized by most UN member states. Palestine itself is an observer state at the UN. Accordingly, it is in conflict with Israel.

The following states recognized their independence:

Recognized by approximately 70% of the UN member states.

4. Kosovo

According to the Serbian Constitution, Kosovo is part of Serbia as an autonomous region. In fact, it has been an independent state since 2008.

The following states recognized their independence:

More than 100 countries recognize Kosovo's independence.

5. Republic of China

In fact, this is the well-known island of Taiwan plus several small islands. They consider themselves independent from China since 1911. Despite its geopolitical position, the Republic of China has economic ties with almost the whole world.

The following states recognized their independence:

It is recognized as independent by 20 UN member countries, mainly South American and island states.

6. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Many people have been to Cyprus, but not everyone knows that there are two states on the island. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has considered itself independent since 1983 and is an observer to the Organization of the Islamic Conference. If you are in Cyprus, look here too.

The following states recognized their independence:

Türkiye and... everything

7. Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic

It's Western Sahara. Since 1976 it has been independent from Morocco and Mauritania. Before this, this area was generally a Spanish colony. The republic is a member of the African Union. It has its own currency - the Saharan peseta.

The following states recognized their independence:

Almost a third of UN member states recognize the independence of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, mainly the countries of Africa and the Middle East

List of unrecognized states.

1. Nagorno-Karabakh Republic

Since 1991 they have been independent from Azerbaijan. Military conflicts still flare up, which still does not interfere with visiting Nagorno-Karabakh for tourism purposes. There is its own currency - the Karabakh dram, but due to the small issue, the circulation here is mainly the Armenian dram.

2. Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic

Or Transnistria, which is familiar to us all. Since 1990, they separated from the Moldavian SSR. Just like Nagorno-Karabakh, it has its own currency, but here it is in use. The famous Kvint wine and cognac factory, by the way, is located right here.

3. Donetsk People's Republic

Since 2014, they consider themselves to have separated from Ukraine due to political crisis. Ukraine considers these territories occupied by Russia, whose currency is mainly used here.

4. Lugansk People's Republic

See "Donetsk People's Republic"

5. Somaliland

Somalia declared its independence in 1991. They have their own currency - the Somaliland shilling, and political relations with a number of European and African countries.

6. Va

An unrecognized state without clear borders on the territory of Myanmar.

7. Shan

Another fragment on the territory of Myanmar. The areas that the Shan state considers its own are practically not controlled by it.

8. Waziristan

Consisting of North and South Waziristan, an unrecognized state located on the territory of Pakistan.

I would like to note that in Somalia there are such formations as Jubaland, Himan and Heb, Avdaland and Galmudug. In fact, these are autonomous small territories, often at war with each other.

Thus, there are a considerable number of unrecognized and partially recognized states in the world. Their number is constantly changing, so it is difficult to say exactly how many there are. Also, some sources include among them various communities of people, tribes, military and terrorist organizations, including ISIS.