South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity has arrived in Nicaragua on an official visit.
He was expected to arrive on Saturday, but his plane made an emergency landing in the Finnish capital of Helsinki, due to technical problems. He will also visit Venezuela during his trip, which will last until July 25.
Kokoity plans to conclude friendship and cooperation agreements with Nicaragua and Venezuela, two of the only three states apart from Russia to have recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Russia recognized the two republics after a five-day war with Georgia in August 2008, which began with a Georgian attack on South Ossetia. The tiny island nation of Nauru has also recognized the republics.
"We are grateful to the president of Nicaragua for the courageous and just decision to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia," Kokoity said upon arrival in Nicaragua late on Sunday.
The documents to be signed include trade cooperation deals and a visa-free travel agreement.
Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh is also visiting the Nicaragua and Venezuela, although the republic's prime minister, Sergei Shamba, told RIA Novosti that the two presidents have entirely different agendas.
Both Kokoity and Bagapsh will take part in celebrations dedicated to the 31st anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua on Tuesday. The revolution ousted dictator Anastasio Somoza and brought current leader Daniel Ortega to power. Ortega served as president in 1985-1990 after the revolutionary junta was dissolved, and after three electoral defeats was elected again in 2006.
MANAGUA, July 19 (RIA Novosti)
