September 9, 2008 - 15:41 AMT
Talks on establishment of diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia underway in Moscow
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet Tuesday with his counterparts Murat Dzhioyev (South Ossetia) and Sergei Shamba (Abkhazia) to exchange notes on establishment of diplomatic relations.

The Ministers are also expected to discuss draft projects on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance.

Yesterday, Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev met with France's Nicolas Sarkozy, who arrived in Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart.

"Two new states have appeared. We have already developed a number of agreements, including that on establishment of diplomatic relations with them," Medvedev said. "Humanitarian, economic and military assistance will be also rendered," he added, Finmarket reports.