On a visit to Moscow, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says Caracas plans to immediately recognize Georgia's pro-Russia separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.
Peter Semneby, the European Union's special representative to the South Caucasus, has been in the Georgia capital, Tbilisi, for meetings with government officials, opposition members and NGOs. Semneby also visited Sukhumi, the capital of the separatist region of Abkhazia.
In a move indicative of Minsk's growing coolness toward Moscow, Belarus warned its citizens on July 22 that they may enter the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia only via Georgia.
Pressured by Moscow to recognize breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, Belarussian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka dispatched an official delegation to Sukhumi, the Abkhaz capital.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has pledged an unspecified amount of financial aid to the breakaway region of Abkhazia.
"After gaining independence, there is more work to do. Belarus would be glad to help solve more problems that exist in the region," Lukashenko was quoted by his official website as telling de facto Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh at a March 23 meeting.
The commander of Russia's ground forces, Gen. Vladimir Boldyrev, confirmed on March 20 that Russia is setting up military bases in the separatist territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The commander of Russia's ground forces, Gen. Vladimir Boldyrev, confirmed on March 20 that Russia is setting up military bases in the separatist territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
