Vanuatu reconfirms recognition of Abkhazia's independence

The Republic of Vanuatu confirms its decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia, said Alfred Carlot, the Foreign Minister of Vanuatu.

On June 17, Georgian media reported, with reference to Zurab Aleksidze, Director of the Department for Africa, Australia and Oceania of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Georgia, that the members of the new government of Vanuatu had abolished their predecessors' decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia.

"The new government of Vanuatu has disseminated a press release, according to which the previous government's decision to recognize independence of Abkhazia was cancelled," the "GHN" quotes Mr Aleksidze as saying.

Alfred Carlot, the head of the Vanuatu's MFA, said, in his turn, that the decision of the previous government is in force. "The Republic pursues an open foreign policy and strives, along with other members of the international community, to eradicate colonialism from the face of the planet," said Mr Carlot.

"As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I reconfirm the recognition of Abkhazia as an independent republic," the "RBC" quotes Mr Carlot as saying.