Russia, Venezuela talk weapons, oil, lubricate relations

by Xinhua writers Yu Maofeng, Lu Jingli

MOSCOW, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez' two-day visit to Russia was dominated by energy and military agreements, despite delighting the Kremlin by recognizing the independence of Georgia's breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Weaponry and oil would top the trade agenda between the two "intimate friends," and their relations would develop according to their own needs, analysts predicted.

A GOODWILL GESTURE

Venezuela's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia's independence came as a shock because Nicaragua was until recently the only other country to have followed Russia's suit in recognizing them.

"Venezuela from today is joining in the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia," Chavez announced during talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in his residence outside Moscow.

Caracas would soon begin the process of establishing diplomatic relations with them, Chavez added.

Medvedev thanked Chavez for recognizing the Georgian rebel regions, which broke away from Tbilisi's rule during a war in the 1990s. "Thank you, Hugo, you have made a whole set of serious and important decisions," he said.

Chavez later met Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who said Venezuela's recognition of the two Russia-backed republics confirmed the independent nature of its foreign policies.