Vanuatu not repealing its recognition of Abkhazia - Abkhaz Foreign Ministry
SUKHUMI. July 17 (Interfax) - The signing of an act of establishment of diplomatic relations between Vanuatu and Georgia does not mean Vanuatu has revoked its recognition of the Republic of Abkhazia, Abkhaz Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Chirikba told journalists in Sukhumi on Wednesday.
"Pursuant to norms of international law diplomatic relations are severed by an official statement or the issue of a special regularity act initiated by supreme bodies of government in the nation in question. The Foreign Ministry of Abkhazia has not received any official notification of this end from the executive authorities of Vanuatu. The representative of the Republic of Abkhazia in the region is in constant contact with the government of Vanuatu. Abkhazia hopes for the further strengthening of relations with the insular country," Chirikba said.
Earlier the Georgian Foreign Ministry announced that Vanuatu Permanent Representative to the United Nations Donald Kalpokas and Georgian Temporary Representative Vakhtang Makharoblishvili signed the diplomatic relations' agreement in New York City on July 12.