Abkhazia expects recognition from countries of Oceania, Latin America and Middle East

In 2010, the authorities of Abkhazia expect further recognition of independence of this breakaway republic by the countries of the Pacific basin, Latin America and Middle East. This was stated by Sergey Shamba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, who added that "a whole range of countries are ready to consider the issue."

"There are reliable prospects that Abkhazia will be recognized in Latin America," said Mr Shamba. Besides, the republic will go on with its diplomatic efforts towards this end in the Middle East, as the Minister has added.

"Abkhazia is a territory possessing all the resources for developing its independent statehood. It has a decent, though strongly destroyed, economy; it has resources; it has access to the sea; and it has a responsible elite, which has already passed through the second round of elections of rather high quality. It means that the republic can exist more or less independently," political scientist Dmitri Oreshkin said in his interview to the radio station "Echo of the Caucasus".

"Abkhazia has significant resources. If properly managed, they can gradually lead to building its own budget, independent on Russia's help," said Vladimir Zharikhin, deputy director of the Institute of the CIS Member-States.

At the same time, in the opinion of experts, foreign policy prospects of Tskhinvali are much vaguer.