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Abkhazia looks to seal diplomatic ties with Russia within week

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Abkhazia plans to sign a treaty establishing diplomatic relations with Russia within a week, the foreign minister of the Georgian breakaway region now recognized by Moscow said on Thursday.
SUKHUMI, August 28 (RIA Novosti) - Abkhazia plans to sign a treaty establishing diplomatic relations with Russia within a week, the foreign minister of the Georgian breakaway region now recognized by Moscow said on Thursday.

Sergei Shamba said Abkhazia is currently drafting the treaty and a host of other documents necessary to establish formal diplomatic relations and to open embassies. He said Russian and Abkhazian officials need to meet to discuss the documents before they can be signed.

"I think this will take place within the coming week," Shamba said, adding that if complications emerge the process could be slightly delayed, but should not take more than a month.

Russia officially recognized Abkhazia and Georgia's other breakaway region, South Ossetia, on Tuesday following a brief armed conflict with Georgia triggered by Tbilisi's offensive to seize South Ossetia earlier this month.

The move was condemned by Western powers, which have threatened Russia with political isolation.

The Abkhazian diplomat said a military cooperation agreement with Russia is also being drafted. "We have long shared an understanding on this issue, so the [coordination and signing] process will not take long."

Shamba said no other countries have yet responded to Abkhazia's recognition appeals. "We are now focusing on relations with Russia, as they allow us to solve all key issues."

He said major efforts need to be taken to resist "American and West European information attacks" and to inform public opinion in the West.

Shamba denied reports that Abkhazia will now become a part of Russia: "This question is not being discussed. Our status has been determined by the constitution and a national referendum."

Abkhazia and South Ossetia had earlier sought to join the Russian Federation.

Georgia has called the recognition of the two regions by Moscow "an unconcealed annexation" of its territory.

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