TBILISI, September 10 (RIA Novosti) - The Georgian Foreign Ministry condemned on Thursday Venezuela's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as "extremely unfriendly," saying that the move would be "counterproductive" for Venezuela.
During talks with President Dmitry Medvedev in the Kremlin, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said: "I want to take the opportunity to announce that Venezuela is joining those recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia."
"We are convinced that the decision of the Venezuelan dictator will result in the further consolidation of states who respect international law in order to protect Georgia's territorial integrity," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said that Chavez made the decision "in exchange for a loan of a few hundred-million and the large amount of arms that Russia promised him today."
Georgia expressed the hope that the recognition of independence would be annulled as soon as a new leader was elected as a result of "fair and democratic elections."
