Venezuela Recognizes Abkhazia and South Osetia

This Thursday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez officially recognized Georgian break-away regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. According to daily Izvestia, the meeting between Chavez and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev was more than cordial. "I am glad to welcome you back to Moscow, it's been a while since you were here. I have missed you here," said Russian President. The paper emphasized that both men are addressing each other as "ti"- or a more familiar form of "you." In other words, both presidents seemed more like long-time friends than official heads of state.

Chavez did not hesitate to mention that Russia has always been and still remains a superpower. He has also hinted that his recognition of the break-away regions will send an "impulse" to other countries of Latin America. For its part, Georgia did not hesitate to comment. Vice-Speaker of Georgian Parliament Gigi Tsereteli made a statement: "I believe that the whole international community - members of the UN, NATO and the EU - will give an adequate response to Venezuela, if it begins to make some steps in this direction," - he promised.