The Abkhaz Foreign Ministry said on Thursday Ecuador would consider the recognition of the former Georgian republic as an independent state.

The Abkhaz delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Maxim Gvindzhiya is currently paying a visit to the Latin American state.

"Ecuadorian diplomats pledged to consider the official request by the Republic of Abkhazia to be recognized [by Ecuador as an independent state]," Sergei Shamba said.

During a visit to Moscow on October 28-30, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said his country is ready to consider the requests by Abkhazia and another former Georgian republic, South Ossetia, to recognize them, should such requests be submitted.

"Abkhazia asked Ecuador to recognize it immediately after the Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa's statement," Shamba said.

Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent republics shortly after a five-day war with Georgia in August 2008 that began when Georgian forces attacked South Ossetia in an attempt to bring it back under central control.

Nicaragua and Venezuela have also recognized the two former Georgian republics.

SUKHUMI, December 3 (RIA Novosti)