Tuvalu Supports Abkhazia
Published: September 28, 2011 (Issue # 1676)
MOSCOW — The Pacific island nation of Tuvalu became the sixth state to recognize Abkhazia and the fifth to recognize South Ossetia, the two Georgian breakaway regions said Friday.
Tuvalu’s prime minister, Willy Telavi, signed declarations establishing diplomatic ties with representatives of both regions during a visit to Abkhazia and South Ossetia earlier in the week, according to statements on both regions’ web sites.
The island’s government did not confirm the reports until Sunday. Nor did the Georgian government make any public comment. The news comes as a slap in the face for Tbilisi because Tuvalu established diplomatic ties with Georgia seven months ago.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia were recognized as independent by Russia following a 2008 war with Georgia, but none of Moscow’s close allies among other former Soviet states have yet followed suit.