Abkhazia and Nicaragua officially establish diplomatic relations

Abkhazia and Nicaragua have formally signed agreements establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The agreement comes a day after another Latin American country – Venezuela – officially recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"An Abkhaz delegation is currently in Latin America. Abkhaz foreign ministry officials met with the Nicaraguan president and signed the relevant agreement yesterday [Thursday]," Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba told Interfax.

Russia’s ambassador to Nicaragua praised the signing.

"These documents have special significance for practical connections between the two republics and they will help to flesh out the bilateral relationship with tangible content," Russia's ambassador to Nicaragua, Igor Kondrashov, said.

Abkhaz diplomats are also planning to visit the capital of Nicaragua, Caracas, on Friday, where they will also meet with Venezuelan leadership.

In the early nineties, after the Soviet Union collapsed, Abkhazia and South Ossetia fought for their independence from Georgia, which still considers both to be part of its territory.

In August last year, Russia became the first UN member to recognize the two small countries and establish diplomatic ties.