Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh has appointed a special representative to international talks on security in the Caucasus, the presidential office said on Wednesday.

Vyacheslav Chirikbu will head an Abkhazian delegation at talks in Geneva due to start later this month.

The format of the discussions on security and stability in the South Caucasus was established after the five-day war between Georgia and Russia in August 2008.

Delegations from Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, the United States and South Ossetia participate in the Geneva meetings on an equal footing.

Russia recognized Abkhazia and another breakaway Georgian province, South Ossetia, in late August 2008.

The only other countries to have recognized their independence are Venezuela, Nicaragua and Nauru, the world's smallest island nation.

SUKHUMI, March 17 (RIA Novosti)