Abkhazia may soon be recognized by Bolivia, Ecuador

Abkhazia expects Bolivia and Ecuador to recognize its independence in
the near future, the republic's foreign minister said on Friday.

"We expect Bolivia and Ecuador to recognize the independence of
Abkhazia soon because there is a positive attitude to our country
there," Maxim Gvindzhiya told journalists.

"Sometimes the situation in Abkhazia is compared to the separatist
problem in Bolivia,” Gvindzhiya said.

“Nevertheless, the Bolivian leaders gave this issue careful
consideration, and came to the conclusion that this comparison is
unacceptable,” he went on.

Gvindzhiya also headed a recent Abkhazian delegation to Venezuela,
Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador.

"We are highly interested in economic and political partnership with
Argentina, as well as with Chile. We established lot of useful
contacts there,” he said.

The foreign minister also announced the forthcoming visit of Abkhazian
President Sergei Bagapsh to Latin America. He said the visit would be
discussed at a meeting with the Nicaraguan foreign minister, who is
due in Abkhazia on April 14.

Russia recognized Abkhazia and another breakaway Georgian republic,
South Ossetia, after a five-day war with Georgia in August 2008.
Nicaragua, Venezuela and the Pacific island nation of Nauru have also
recognized the two former republics.