3 Jun 2011

Vanuatu recognises Abkhazia's independence

4:02 pm on 3 June 2011

Vanuatu has reportedly decided to recognise the independence of Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia.

The Abkhaz foreign ministry says the establishment of diplomatic relations was preceded by "long bilateral consultations."

The ministry also said in a separate statement that citizens on both sides could travel without visas.

This follows the move in 2009 by Nauru to establish diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, another Russia-backed separatist province in Georgia.