Abkhazia–Vanuatu relations explained

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Abkhazia and Vanuatu established relations when Vanuatu recognised Abkhazia's independence on 23 May 2011. On that day a joint statement on establishment of diplomatic relations was signed.[1] [2] However, the exact nature of the recognition was a matter of dispute and was not regularized until July 2013. However, over the years and part of domestic powerplay within Vanuatu's government, the recognition has swung back and forth. In 2019 Vanuatu's minister of Foreign Affairs "confirmed Vanuatu’s support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity" and effectively withdrew the recognition of Abkhazia.

Vanuatu was the fifth UN member state to recognize Abkhazia and the first not to also recognise South Ossetia's independence.

History

Initial establishment of relations (May 2011)

On 23 May 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.[3] A week later, the Government of Vanuatu offered its condolences to Abkhazia over the passing of President Sergei Bagapsh. Vanuatu assured the Government of Abkhazia that the foundations laid by the late President in establishing political and economic relations between the states would continue to prosper.[4] The same day, in an interview with Russia Today Maxim Gvinjia, the Abkhaz Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Vanuatu had recognised Abkhazia's independence and that diplomatic relations had been established.[5] [6] The diplomatic agreement had been signed on 23 May 2011 by Prime Ministers of Abkhazia Sergey Shamba and of Vanuatu Sato Kilman, and also established a visa-free travel regime between the two countries.[1] [2] [7] [8] According to Gvinjia, the document had been exchanged by air, and had been negotiated in secret over a period of several months.[9]

Despite an initial denial on 3 June by Vanuatu's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Donald Kalpokas,[10] Vanuatu's recognition of Abkhazia was confirmed by its government on 7 June[11] and a copy of the agreement was released.[1] [2]

Attempted withdrawal of recognition by Natapei (June 2011) and subsequent reconfirmation

On 16 June, Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek of Vanuatu ruled that since Sato Kilman's December 2010 election as Prime Minister had not occurred through secret ballot, it had violated article 41 of the constitution, and he re-instated Edward Natapei as interim prime minister.[12] [13] On 17 June, Natapei announced that he was withdrawing Vanuatu's recognition for Abkhazia, and that he would seek to establish relations with Georgia.[14] [15] [16] [17] [18] However, a week later Sato Kilman was re-elected as prime minister,[19] and in a note dated 1 July 2011, Vanuatu Foreign Minister Alfred Carlot informed the government of Abkhazia that the Cabinet of Vanuatu had "voted in favour of supporting the Republic of Abkhazia in establishing diplomatic and financial ties". The note also reiterated that the original memorandum signed on 23 May by the Prime Ministers of both countries "remained in force despite earlier announcement".[20] Vanuatu's recognition of Abkhazia was again confirmed on 12 July by Carlot, expressing Vanuatu's "desire to establish diplomatic relations with Abkhazia", and on 7 October by Vanuatu's government.[21] [22]

Exchanges between Abkhazia and Vanuatu

Te Moli Venaos Mol Saken (Thi Tam) Goiset, one of the strongest proponents of Vanuatu recognition of Abkhaz independence was appointed Ambassador of Vanuatu for Abkhazia and other countries, including Russia.[23]

On 12 July 2011 the Ambassador of Abkhazia in the Asia-Pacific region, Juris Gulbis, stated that Abkhazia and Vanuatu plan to sign a framework agreement on cooperation in the field of culture, trade and the 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.[24]

On 30 July 2011, the Abkhaz Minister of Foreign Affairs, sent a congratulatory note on the occasion of the Independence Day celebration in Vanuatu, reading "I would especially like to note a positive trend that emerged in the relations between our countries. I hope that our relationship will continue to grow stronger and develop in the same beneficial way."

On 28 September 2011, Te Moli Venaos Mol Saken Goiset, Ambassador designate to Abkhazia from Vanuatu, congratulated the new Abkhaz President Alexander Ankvab on his inauguration.[25]

In January 2012 it was reported that Abkhazia planned to export wine to Vanuatu.[26]

Establishment of diplomatic relations with Georgia under Carcasses (2013)

On 18 March 2013, Johnny Koanapo, Vanuatu Director-General of Foreign Affairs, stated that diplomatic relations had never been established with Abkhazia. He said that "There’s been a confusion over what the government had intended to do which was just simply a letter stating that there might be an intention to establish relations with Abkhazia. But at this point in time, there’s no action on that and there’s no decision".[27] [28] [29] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia responded with a statement claiming that they had "not received any official notification of the severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries" and that the "recognition of the Republic of Abkhazia is irreversible".[30] [31]

On 20 May 2013, Georgia claimed that Moana Carcasses Kalosil, Vanuatu's new Prime Minister, had confirmed that Vanuatu had withdrawn its recognition of Abkhazia.[32] [33] [34] However, the next day Abkhazia's Deputy Foreign Minister Irakli Khintba responded by saying that no decision to cancel diplomatic relations between Abkhazia and Vanuatu had been taken, and that Kalosil's statements were only his personal point of view which was not the result of an official decision by the government.[35] [36]

On 12 July 2013 Georgia and Vanuatu signed an agreement on establishing diplomatic and consular relations. The agreement, which was signed at the United Nations headquarters, stated: "the Republic of Vanuatu recognizes territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, including its regions - the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia."[37] While Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili thanked the Vanuatuan government for withdrawing its recognition,[38] the Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Viacheslav Chirikba, insisted that Vanuatu had not officially withdrawn its recognition of Abkhazia,[39]

Renewed contacts between Abkhazia and Vanuatu (2015)

On 30 March 2015, during a visit by Vanuatu Foreign Minister Sato Kilman to Moscow to discuss aid following Cyclone Pam, he met with his Abkhazian counterpart Viacheslav Chirikba. The two officials expressed their desire to strengthen bilateral relations, and Chirikba expressed his condolences and offered Abkhazia's assistance with disaster relief.[40] On 31 March, Kilman was asked by RIA Novosti whether Vanuatu still recognised. He responded that "nothing had changed" in respect to Vanuatu's 2011 recognition of Abkhazia, but that the Carcasses government had decided to establish diplomatic relations with Georgia rather than Abkhazia. He didn't consider diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and Georgia to be incompatible, and hoped diplomatic relations with Abkhazia would soon be formalised.[41] In June 2015, Kilman was sacked as foreign minister, partly as a result of this meeting, with Prime Minister Joe Natuman again clarifying the government's position that "Abkhazia is part of Georgia".[42] [43] However, the following week Kilman replaced Natuman as prime minister.[44]

Vanuatu's confirmation of Georgia's territorial integrity (2019)

On 14 March 2019 Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu met with his Georgian counterpart David Zalkaliani in Tbilisi.[45] While both sides committed to deepen bilateral ties, Regenvanu "confirmed Vanuatu’s support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity", according to the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[46] Zalkaliani commented "We are grateful that the Republic of Vanuatu is consistent in pursuing the non-recognition policy of the so-called independence of Georgia’s occupied regions, in full compliance with fundamental norms and principles of international law". The following day Regenvanu visited the conflict line[47] and a Memorandum of Co-operation was signed between the two sides.

While at the conflict line, Regenvanu said: "Vanuatu has always recognized the territorial integrity of Georgia. In 2011 we had a minister who expressed a different position. In my opinion, he was influenced by certain individuals and recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. His decision was not an official position of the state".[48] In other words, the minister removed any doubt on the status of recognition.

United Nations resolutions on return of Georgian IDPs

Since Georgia's first submission in 2009 at the United Nations General Assembly of a resolution on the "Status of internally displaced persons and refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia", Vanuatu has supported this annually returning resolution, contrary to all other UN members that recognize Abkhazia's independence.[49] [50] [51] Only in 2015 it abstained from this vote, precisely when it had government issues over the recognition (see above).

International agreements

Ambassadors

Notes and References

  1. News: Верительное факсимиле . Russian . 2011-06-07 . . 2011-06-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110608150154/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1655437 . June 8, 2011 .
  2. Web site: Joint Statement On Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of Vanuatu. 2013-03-26. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Abkhazia). 2013-03-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20160202100718/http://mfaapsny.org/upload/vanuatu1.jpg. 2016-02-02. dead.
  3. Web site: People's Movements Nagriamel and John Frum (Vanuatu) issue recognition to the people of Abkhazia. Abkhaz World. 2013-06-07. 2013-03-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20130717104459/http://abkhazworld.com/news/recognition/669-peoples-movement-nagriamel-john-frum-press-release.html. 2013-07-17. dead.
  4. Web site: Vanuatu offers condolences to Abkhazia over passing of president Bagapsh . Abkhaz World.
  5. News: On the establishment of diplomatic relations between Republic of Abkhazia and Republic of Vanuatu. 2011-05-27. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Abkhazia). 2011-05-31. Sukhum. https://web.archive.org/web/20110603203429/http://www.mfaabkhazia.net/en/node/949. 2011-06-03. dead.
  6. News: Независимость Абхазии признали острова Вануату . 2011-05-31 . . Russian . 2011-06-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029025546/http://www.bbc.co.uk/russian/international/2011/05/110531_vanuatu_recognise_abkhazia.shtml . 2013-10-29 . live .
  7. Web site: Abkhazia & Pacific . . 2011-06-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120416224743/http://www.mfaabkhazia.net/en/pacific . 2012-04-16 .
  8. News: Visa-free regime is launched between the Republic of Vanuatu and the Republic of Abkhazia. . 2011-05-31 . . 2011-06-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110609050525/http://www.mfaabkhazia.net/en/node/966 . 2011-06-09 . dead .
  9. News: Vanuatu-Abkhazia: recognition via air . Mamanov . Roman . 2011-06-04 . . 2011-06-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120908172009/http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/06/04/51282275.html . 2012-09-08 . dead .
  10. News: Vanuatu Recognizes Abkhazia. Or Maybe Not. . Barry . Ellen . 2011-06-03 . . A4 . 2011-06-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171101042406/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/04/world/asia/04vanuatu.html?_r=1 . 2017-11-01 . live .
  11. Web site: Vanuatu government confirms recognition of Abkhazia. Radio New Zealand International. 2011-06-07. 2011-06-07.
  12. Web site: Vanuatu Court rules Kilman election void, reinstates Natapei as interim PM. 16 June 2011. Radio New Zealand International. 29 September 2011.
  13. http://www.governmentofvanuatu.gov.vu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94&Itemid=65 "Supreme Declared Natapei, Acting Prime Minister "
  14. Web site: Держава Вануату аннулировала признание независимости Абхазии. 2011-06-17. 2015-05-30.
  15. News: Natapei withdraws recognition of Abkhazia . . 2011-06-20 . 2013-03-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120121080902/http://www.dailypost.vu/content/natapei-withdraws-recognition-abkhazia . 2012-01-21 .
  16. News: Vanuatu new gov't annuls Abkhazian recognition. 2011-06-27. Trend News Agency. 2011-06-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20110622115713/http://en.trend.az/news/politics/1892956.html. 2011-06-22. dead.
  17. Web site: Relationship with Vanuatu is still discussed in Abkhazia. https://web.archive.org/web/20120316020247/http://eng.expertclub.ge/portal/cnid__8952/alias__Expertclub/lang__en/tabid__2546/default.aspx. dead. 2012-03-16. 2011-06-27. Experts' club. 2011-06-22.
  18. News: Vanuatu, Abkhazia play out odd couple farce. 2011-06-27. Georgian Daily. 2011-06-21.
  19. Web site: Kilman elected Vanuatu PM - ten days after ouster by court . 2011-06-27 . . 2011-09-19.
  20. Web site: Memorandum dated 23 May 2011 is valid. 2013-03-25. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Abkhazia). 2013-03-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20160202100718/http://mfaapsny.org/upload/vanuatu2.jpg. 2 February 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  21. News: Ligo . Godwin . Minister says oil an issue over non recognition of Abkhazia . 2011-07-14 . . 2011-07-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120326130056/http://www.dailypost.vu/content/todays-dailypost-frontpage-thursday-14-july-2011 . 2012-03-26 .
  22. Web site: Vanuatu's recognition to the Republic of Abkhazia . Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Vanuatu) . 2011-10-07 . 2013-03-28 . 2013-12-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131218140303/http://www.governmentofvanuatu.gov.vu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=127:vanuatus-recognition-to-the-republic-of-abkhazia&catid=70:archived-news&Itemid=1 . dead .
  23. News: People's Movements Nagriamel and John Frum (Vanuatu) issue recognition to the people of Abkhazia. Abkhaz World. 2011-06-07. 2013-03-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20130717104459/http://abkhazworld.com/news/recognition/669-peoples-movement-nagriamel-john-frum-press-release.html. 2013-07-17. dead.
  24. News: Абхазия и Вануату в ближайшее время планируют подписать соглашения о сотрудничестве в области культуры, торговли и банковской сфере . Russian . 2013-03-28 . Apsnypress . 2011-07-12 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120405163918/http://apsnypress.info/news/3659.html . 2012-04-05 .
  25. Web site: Te Moli Venaos-Goiset, Ambassador designated to Abkhazia from Vanuatu, congratulates President Alexander Ankvab on his inauguration . 2012-01-05 . . 2011-09-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111110120555/http://www.mfaabkhazia.net/en/archive/201109 . November 10, 2011 .
  26. News: Abkhazia plans to export wine to Vanuatu . Baku Today . 2012-01-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110720192202/http://www.bakutoday.net/abkhazia-plans-to-export-wine-in-vanuatu.html . July 20, 2011 .
  27. Web site: Vanuatu admits confusion over Abkhazia link. 2013-03-18. 2013-03-18. Radio New Zealand International.
  28. Web site: Abkhazia: Vanuatu Changes Its Mind Again . EurasiaNet.org . 2013-03-18. 2013-03-18.
  29. Web site: Confusion lingers over Vanuatu's links with Abkhazia. 2013-03-19. 2013-03-19. Radio New Zealand International.
  30. Web site: Заявление МИД Абхазии в связи с информацией об отзыве признания Республики Абхазия со стороны Республики Вануату. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Abkhazia). Russian. 2013-03-23. 2012-03-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20160202100718/http://mfaapsny.org/news/index.php?ID=986. 2016-02-02. dead.
  31. News: Абхазия опровергает слухи об отмене признания Вануату. Russian. Apsnypress. 2013-03-21. 2013-03-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20130325085209/http://apsnypress.info/news/8541.html. 2013-03-25. dead.
  32. Web site: Vanuatu scraps recognition of Georgia breakaway region. 2013-05-20. 2013-05-21. 2016-06-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20160626053111/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130520/vanuatu-scraps-recognition-georgia-breakaway-region#1. dead.
  33. Web site: Georgia Says Vanuatu Has Withdrawn Recognition of Abkhazia. 2013-05-20. Bloomberg.
  34. Web site: News. President of Georgia. 2013-05-20. 2013-05-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20130926144427/http://www.president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News/?p=8286. 2013-09-26. dead.
  35. Web site: Распространенное грузинскими СМИ сообщение об отзыве Вануату официального признания Абхазии является не более чем фантазией Президента Грузии. 2012-05-21. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Abkhazia). 2013-05-23. Russian. https://web.archive.org/web/20130925202542/http://mfaapsny.org/news/?ID=1168. 2013-09-25. dead.
  36. Web site: МИД Абхазии: отказ Вануату от признания Абхазии - фантазия Саакашвили. 22 May 2012. RIA Novosti. 2013-05-23. Russian.
  37. Web site: Georgia, Vanuatu Establish Diplomatic Ties. 2013-07-15 . 2022-01-28 . Civil Georgia.
  38. Web site: Georgia's president thanks Vanuatu for. 21 May 2013. 2015-05-30.
  39. Web site: Вануату отказалось от признания независимости Абхазии.
  40. News: Встреча министра иностранных дел Республики Абхазия Вячеслава Чирикба с министром иностранных дел, международного сотрудничества и внешней торговли Республики Вануату господином Мелтек Сато Килманом Ливтувану.. 1 April 2015. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia. 30 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402105904/http://mfaapsny.org/news/index.php?ID=3463. 2015-04-02. dead.
  41. News: Глава МИД Вануату: мы нуждаемся в крове, еде, воде и медикаментах. 17 April 2015. RIA Novosti. 31 March 2015.
  42. Web site: Natuman explains reasons for termination of Kilman. 2015-06-10. 2015-06-10. Vanuatu Daily Post.
  43. News: Vanuatu PM lays out concerns with Kilman. 11 June 2015. Radio New Zealand International. 10 June 2015.
  44. News: Joe Natuman removed as Vanuatu's prime minister in no-confidence vote; Sato Kilman reclaims top job. 2 July 2015. ABC News. 12 June 2015.
  45. News: Davit Zalkaliani: We highly appreciate the strong support of the Vanuatu Government for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. 28 January 2022. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Georgia. 14 March 2019. ka.
  46. News: Foreign Ministers of Georgia, Vanuatu Pledge to Deepen Ties. 19 July 2021. Civil Georgia. 14 March 2019.
  47. News: Foreign Ministers of Georgia, Vanuatu Pledge to Deepen Ties. 19 July 2021. Georgia Today. 15 March 2019.
  48. News: Vanuatu Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Foreign Trade Visits Village Near Occupation Line. 28 January 2022. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Georgia. 15 March 2019. ka. 16 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220816035938/https://mfa.gov.ge/News/vanuatus-sagareo-saqmeta,-saertashorio-tanamshroml.aspx. dead.
  49. News: General Assembly Adopts Text Recognizing Right of Return of Internally Displaced Persons throughout Georgia, Including Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 28 January 2022. United Nations Press Releases. 9 September 2009.
  50. News: UN General Assembly adopts resolution initiated by Georgia (2018). 28 January 2022. Agenda.ge. 13 June 2018.
  51. News: UN General Assembly Passes Georgia IDP Resolution (2021). 28 January 2022. Civil Georgia. 17 June 2021.
  52. News: Goiset shortlisted for Roving Ambassador. Vanuatu Daily Post. 2011-07-22. 2013-03-28. 2012-04-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20120410160322/http://www.dailypost.vu/content/goiset-shortlisted-roving-ambassador. dead.
  53. News: Goiset becomes first Roving Ambassador to Russia. Vanuatu Daily Post. 2011-12-06. 2013-03-28. 2012-04-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20120416120336/http://www.dailypost.vu/content/goiset-becomes-first-roving-ambassador-russia. dead.
  54. Web site: Representatives of the Republic of Abkhazia . . 2013-03-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130609130004/http://mfaapsny.org/en/policy/representative.php . 2013-06-09 . dead .

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