Tuvalu Retracts Recognition Of Abkhazia, South Ossetia

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The Polynesian island nation of Tuvalu has retracted its 2011 recognition of Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze and her Tuvaluan counterpart Taukelina Finikaso, signed an agreement on March 31 to establish diplomatic relations.

Citing the signed protocol, Finikaso said his country supports Georgia's territorial integrity in its internationally recognized borders, which also includes Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Last year, Tbilisi signed a similar agreement with the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, which also retracted its earlier recognition of Georgia's two separatist regions.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia were recognized by Russia after a short Russian-Georgian war in 2008.

The two regions' independence from Georgia has also been recognized by Nicaragua, Venezuela, and the Pacific island of Nauru.

Based on reporting by civil.ge and apsny.ge