"I plan to visit Abkhazia and South Ossetia soon," Sergei Lavrov told reporters, responding to a question on when Russian diplomatic missions would be opened.
Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia on August 26, two weeks after it had expelled Georgian troops from South Ossetia following Tbilisi's August 8 ground and air offensive against the republic.
Earlier on Thursday, South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity said his republic planned to merge with the neighboring Russian province of North Ossetia, and become part of Russia, a statement he later withdrew.
Meanwhile, Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh said Abkhazia would not try to obtain 'associated territory' status with Russia but would seek to join the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States and the Russia-Belarus Union State.
Russia earlier this week established diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and has pledged substantial economic and military support. Most residents of both republics are Russian citizens.
