Abkhazia–Vanuatu relations
Encyclopedia
Bilateral relation between Abkhazia
and Vanuatu
were established when Vanuatu recognised Abkhazia's independence on 23 May 2011. Vanuatu was the fifth UN member state do so, and the first not to also recognise South Ossetia's
independence.
Maxim Gvinjia
, the Abkhaz Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that the Pacific
nation of Vanuatu
had recognised Abkhaz independence and had established diplomatic relations with the State. According to the Abkhaz, the diplomatic note establishing diplomatic relations was signed on 23 May 2011, and at the same time of signing a visa-free travel regime between the two countries was established.
On 3 June 2011, Donald Kalpokas
, the Permanent Representative of Vanuatu to the United Nations, in a telephone interview with the New York Times denied that recognition of Abkhazia by Vanuatu had taken place, and stressed that the country had relations with Georgia, not with Abkhazia.
On 4 June 2011, Gvindzhiya stated that recognition of Abkhazia by Vanuatu is documented, with the diplomatic documents having been signed by both nations Prime Ministers on 23 May 2011. Gvindzhiya later told Voice of Russia
that an announcement by the government of Vanuatu would be forthcoming on 6 June 2011. The Abkhaz Foreign Minister confirmed that the exchange of the diplomatic document had taken place by air, and was negotiated in secret over a period of several months.
On 7 June 2011, the Vanuatu government confirmed recognition of Abkhazia.
On 7 June 2011, a copy of the joint statement on establishment of diplomatic relations, signed by Prime Ministers of Abkhazia Sergey Shamba
and of Vanuatu Sato Kilman
was released to the media.
On 7 June 2011, President of the People’s movements Nagriamel and John Frum, Paramount Chief Te Moli Venaos Mol Saken Goiset issued a statement of recognition to the People of Abkhazia.
On 19 June 2011, the new interim Prime Minister Edward Natapei
announced that he was withdrawing Vanuatu's recognition for Abkhazia, and that he would seek to establish relations with Georgia, recognising Georgia's sovereignty over Abkhazia.
On 26 June 2011 Sato Kilman was re-elected Prime Minister.
On 12 July 2011 Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Alfred Carlot reconfirmed Vanuatu's recognition of Abkhazia, although he stated that Vanuatu was still in the process of establishing diplomatic relations with Abkhazia.
On 12 July 2011 The Ambassador of Abkhazia in the Asia-Pacific region Juris Gulbis stated, that Abkhazia and Vanuatu plans to sign a framework agreement on cooperation in the field of culture, trade and banking sector. According to him, the Government of Vanuatu twice confirmed the establishment of diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and of their intention to contribute to the development of friendly ties between the two States.
Abkhazia
Abkhazia is a disputed political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus.Abkhazia considers itself an independent state, called the Republic of Abkhazia or Apsny...
and Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
were established when Vanuatu recognised Abkhazia's independence on 23 May 2011. Vanuatu was the fifth UN member state do so, and the first not to also recognise South Ossetia's
South Ossetia
South Ossetia or Tskhinvali Region is a disputed region and partly recognized state in the South Caucasus, located in the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic....
independence.
History
On 31 May 2011, in an interview to RTRussia Today
Russia Today may refer to:* Russia Today, an English language 24-hour television news channel from Russia. It was launched in 2005 and is not related to an online news service of the similar name operated by EIN News...
Maxim Gvinjia
Maxim Gvinjia
Maxim Gvinjia is the current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia. Before he was appointed on 26 February 2010 to replace Sergei Shamba, Gvinjia had served as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs since 1 March 2004.-Early life and career:...
, the Abkhaz Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that the Pacific
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
nation of Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
had recognised Abkhaz independence and had established diplomatic relations with the State. According to the Abkhaz, the diplomatic note establishing diplomatic relations was signed on 23 May 2011, and at the same time of signing a visa-free travel regime between the two countries was established.
On 3 June 2011, Donald Kalpokas
Donald Kalpokas
Donald Masike'Vanua Kalpokas is a ni-Vanuatu politician and diplomat who served as prime minister of Vanuatu twice.Kalpokas was born on Efate island. Along with Walter Lini he founded the Vanua'aku Pati a political party which supported political independence for Vanuatu, socialist policies, and...
, the Permanent Representative of Vanuatu to the United Nations, in a telephone interview with the New York Times denied that recognition of Abkhazia by Vanuatu had taken place, and stressed that the country had relations with Georgia, not with Abkhazia.
On 4 June 2011, Gvindzhiya stated that recognition of Abkhazia by Vanuatu is documented, with the diplomatic documents having been signed by both nations Prime Ministers on 23 May 2011. Gvindzhiya later told Voice of Russia
Voice of Russia
Voice of Russia is the Russian government's international radio broadcasting service owned by the All-Russia State Television and Radio Company. Its predecessor Radio Moscow was the official international broadcasting station of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.-Early years:Radio Moscow...
that an announcement by the government of Vanuatu would be forthcoming on 6 June 2011. The Abkhaz Foreign Minister confirmed that the exchange of the diplomatic document had taken place by air, and was negotiated in secret over a period of several months.
On 7 June 2011, the Vanuatu government confirmed recognition of Abkhazia.
On 7 June 2011, a copy of the joint statement on establishment of diplomatic relations, signed by Prime Ministers of Abkhazia Sergey Shamba
Sergey Shamba
Sergei Miron-ipa Shamba is a former Prime Minister of Abkhazia, in office from 13 February 2010 until 27 September 2011. Before becoming Prime Minister, Shamba had been the long-time Minister for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia - from 7 May 1997, with a half-year interruption in 2004, both under...
and of Vanuatu Sato Kilman
Sato Kilman
Sato Kilman is a Vanuatu politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from December 2010 to April 2011 and from May to June 2011, though his premiership was subsequently annulled by a court of law. He was elected Prime Minister again on 26 June 2011, thus beginning his first legally recognised term...
was released to the media.
On 7 June 2011, President of the People’s movements Nagriamel and John Frum, Paramount Chief Te Moli Venaos Mol Saken Goiset issued a statement of recognition to the People of Abkhazia.
On 19 June 2011, the new interim Prime Minister Edward Natapei
Edward Natapei
Edward Nipake Natapei Tuta Fanua`araki is a politician from Vanuatu. He was elected Prime Minister of Vanuatu on two separate terms, and was previously the Minister of Foreign Affairs briefly in 1991, the acting President of Vanuatu from 2 March 1999 to 24 March 1999 , and Deputy Prime Minister...
announced that he was withdrawing Vanuatu's recognition for Abkhazia, and that he would seek to establish relations with Georgia, recognising Georgia's sovereignty over Abkhazia.
On 26 June 2011 Sato Kilman was re-elected Prime Minister.
On 12 July 2011 Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Alfred Carlot reconfirmed Vanuatu's recognition of Abkhazia, although he stated that Vanuatu was still in the process of establishing diplomatic relations with Abkhazia.
On 12 July 2011 The Ambassador of Abkhazia in the Asia-Pacific region Juris Gulbis stated, that Abkhazia and Vanuatu plans to sign a framework agreement on cooperation in the field of culture, trade and banking sector. According to him, the Government of Vanuatu twice confirmed the establishment of diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and of their intention to contribute to the development of friendly ties between the two States.