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Venezuela recognises rebel Georgian regions: Chavez
2009-09-10
MOSCOW (AFP) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Thursday said his country would immediately recognise the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent. "Venezuela from today is joining in the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia," Chavez said during a visit to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's residence outside Moscow. "We soon will begin actions to establish diplomatic relations with these countries." Medvedev praised Chavez's move. "Thank you, Hugo. Russia has always supported a country's sovereign right to recognize or not recognize a state's independence. "But of course we are not indifferent to the fate of these two states. We're very grateful." Russia recognised the two rebel regions as independent in the wake of its war last year with Georgia, but most of the world condemned the move and considers them part of Georgian territory. Until Thursday only Nicaragua had joined Moscow in recognising them as independent. Abkhaz and South Ossetian separatists broke free of Georgian control in the early 1990s and enjoyed tacit support from Moscow for years, even though Russia did not formally recognise their independence until August 2008. Georgia, which is ruled by a pro-Western government that has sought to join NATO, considers the regions to be under Russian occupation. Chavez, a firebrand leftist who has frequently criticised the United States, is expected to reach an energy deal with Moscow and discuss a possible Russian loan to Venezuela during his visit. Media reports have suggested that Venezuela could also sign an array of major contracts to purchase Russian arms during Chavez's visit. The Kommersant daily newspaper reported Thursday that Russia would seek to find more supporters for its stance on Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Latin America. "After the recognition by Nicaragua, the most promising region from this perspective is Latin America," a Russian foreign ministry source told Kommersant.
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