Russian president Medvedev's first visit to Abkhazia

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made an unscheduled visit to Abkhazia on Saturday, his first to the self-declared republic since the brief war between Russia and Georgia two years ago.

He held talks with Abkhazia's leader Sergei Bagaphs and promised to develop economic, political and security relations, reports BBC News.

In the wake of the 2008 conflict, Moscow recognised Abkhazia and nearby South Ossetia as independent states. Georgia still considers them part of its territory.

During his visit, Mr Medvedev pledged more financial support to the two republics. In televised remarks, he said Russia's decision to recognise the independence claims of the two regions was the right one.

"It was painful, it was not simple, and time has proven that it was the right decision," he said.

Russia has used the anniversary of the conflict to emphasise the strength of its ties with the two breakaway states.

Last year Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Abkhazia for the first anniversary of the conflict and announced Moscow would pay for part of the country's defence infrastructure.