Abkhazia–Venezuela relations
Encyclopedia
Abkhazia–Venezuela relations refers to bilateral relations
between the Republic of Abkhazia and Venezuela
. Venezuela recognised
Abkhazia, along with South Ossetia
, on 10 September 2009, almost ten years after the country declared independence from Georgia
in 1999. Venezuela was the third state to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia, after Russia
and Nicaragua
.
announced that his government recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia when he was hosted by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
in Moscow. Chávez also announced that formal diplomatic relations would be established with both republics. Chávez had previously defended Russia's recognition of the two republics, saying "Russia has recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We support Russia. Russia is right and is defending its interests."
Following the announcement of recognition, Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh
responded: "We have always looked to Venezuela and some other Latin American countries with hope. An Abkhazian delegation is now in Caracas
after visiting Cuba
and Nicaragua, where they received a warm welcome and support." The Georgian Foreign Ministry condemned the decision by the Venezuelan government, referring to President Chávez as a "dictator" in an official statement made later on the same day.
A meeting between the two governments' deputy foreign ministers in September 2009 reportedly focused on political and economic cooperation. Abkhazia has requested that Venezuela create a platform for lobbying the recognition of Abkhazia's independence in Latin America.
Bagapsh announced that he will lead a delegation of officials in a visit to both Venezuela and Nicaragua in July 2010. The visit is aimed at promoting international recognition and expanding relations within Latin America and the Caribbean. Prime Minister of Abkhazia Sergei Shamba said, "We believe that countries that respect the authority of Chavez as a regional leader will follow suit." Abkhaz president Sergei Bagapsh
invited Venezolan oil producer PdVSA to invest in Abkhazia - this was seen as an attempt to lessen the Abkhaz dependence to Russia.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Venezuela Hugo Jose Garcia Hernandez presented his credentials to the President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh, July 12th 2010.
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
between the Republic of Abkhazia and Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
. Venezuela recognised
Diplomatic recognition
Diplomatic recognition in international law is a unilateral political act with domestic and international legal consequences, whereby a state acknowledges an act or status of another state or government in control of a state...
Abkhazia, along with South Ossetia
South Ossetia
South Ossetia or Tskhinvali Region is a disputed region and partly recognized state in the South Caucasus, located in the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic....
, on 10 September 2009, almost ten years after the country declared independence from Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
in 1999. Venezuela was the third state to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia, after Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
.
Overview
Venezuelan President Hugo ChávezHugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
announced that his government recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia when he was hosted by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev is the third President of the Russian Federation.Born to a family of academics, Medvedev graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad State University in 1987. He defended his dissertation in 1990 and worked as a docent at his alma mater, now renamed to Saint...
in Moscow. Chávez also announced that formal diplomatic relations would be established with both republics. Chávez had previously defended Russia's recognition of the two republics, saying "Russia has recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We support Russia. Russia is right and is defending its interests."
Following the announcement of recognition, Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh
Sergei Bagapsh
Sergei Uasyl-ipa Bagapsh was the second President of the Republic of Abkhazia. He was Prime Minister from 1997 to 1999 and was later elected as President in 2005. He was re-elected in the 2009 presidential election...
responded: "We have always looked to Venezuela and some other Latin American countries with hope. An Abkhazian delegation is now in Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
after visiting Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and Nicaragua, where they received a warm welcome and support." The Georgian Foreign Ministry condemned the decision by the Venezuelan government, referring to President Chávez as a "dictator" in an official statement made later on the same day.
A meeting between the two governments' deputy foreign ministers in September 2009 reportedly focused on political and economic cooperation. Abkhazia has requested that Venezuela create a platform for lobbying the recognition of Abkhazia's independence in Latin America.
Bagapsh announced that he will lead a delegation of officials in a visit to both Venezuela and Nicaragua in July 2010. The visit is aimed at promoting international recognition and expanding relations within Latin America and the Caribbean. Prime Minister of Abkhazia Sergei Shamba said, "We believe that countries that respect the authority of Chavez as a regional leader will follow suit." Abkhaz president Sergei Bagapsh
Sergei Bagapsh
Sergei Uasyl-ipa Bagapsh was the second President of the Republic of Abkhazia. He was Prime Minister from 1997 to 1999 and was later elected as President in 2005. He was re-elected in the 2009 presidential election...
invited Venezolan oil producer PdVSA to invest in Abkhazia - this was seen as an attempt to lessen the Abkhaz dependence to Russia.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Venezuela Hugo Jose Garcia Hernandez presented his credentials to the President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh, July 12th 2010.