Abkhazia and South Ossetia are separatist regions of Georgia in the Caucasus.[1] Most countries recognise them as part of Georgia, while Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria regard them as independent. Russia's initial recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occurred in the aftermath of the Russo-Georgian War in 2008. The government of Georgia considers the republics to be Russian-occupied territories.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia were once recognised by up to seven UN member states, until Tuvalu withdrew its recognition of both in 2014,[2][3][4] and Vanuatu clarified the status of their recognitions. Vanuatu reconfirmed in 2019 it supports Georgian territorial integrity including the two disputed territories.[5][6] Abkhazia and South Ossetia recognise each other, and also have some recognition from non-UN member states.
South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia during the 1991–1992 South Ossetia War on 29 May 1992, with its Constitution referring to the "Republic of South Ossetia".[7][8][9] Abkhazia declared its independence after its war with Georgia in 1992–1993.[10] Its Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1994.[11][12]
In April 2008, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1808 that reaffirmed "the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders and supports all efforts by the United Nations and the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General, which are guided by their determination to promote a settlement of the Abkhaz–Georgian conflict only by peaceful means and within the framework of the Security Council resolutions."[13][14]
The 2008 South Ossetia war was fought in August 2008 between Georgia on one side and South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russia on the other, resulting in a combined South Ossetian, Abkhaz and Russian victory and the expulsion of the Georgian military from both territories.
After hearing the aforementioned appeals from both the Abkhazian and South Ossetian leadership, on 25 August 2008, the Federation Council and State Duma passed motions calling upon President Dmitry Medvedev to recognise the independence of both states and establish diplomatic relations. On 26 August 2008, President Medvedev signed decrees recognising the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as sovereign states,[15]
In the UN Security Council, the United States was heavily critical of Russian support of the secessionist governments, accusing the government of violating Georgia's territorial integrity. In response, Vitaly Churkin, the Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, attacked the U.S. claim to moral high ground by recalling its invasion of Iraq in 2003.[16] Others accused the United States of hypocrisy, citing its support of the violation of Serbian territorial integrity when it recognised the independence of Kosovo in 2008.[17]
The Russian government also welcomed Nicaragua's recognition of the two states, and called on other countries to "recognise reality" and follow Nicaragua's example. President Daniel Ortega announced that his government "recognises the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and fully supports the Russian government's position."[18] Medvedev also signed into law federal bills ratifying friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance pacts between his government and those of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The laws stipulated the obligations of each state to provide assistance to each other if either of them comes under attack, joint protection of Abkhazia and South Ossetia's borders, as well as cooperation on a wide range of economic, social, and humanitarian issues. The states would also jointly counter organised crime, international terrorism, and drug trafficking, documents to this effect were signed for 10 years with an option to extend the deal automatically.[19]
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili considered Russia's move as an attempt to alter the borders of Europe by force. Below are some excerpts from his statement:[20]
This is the first attempt on European territory ... since Hitler's regime and Stalin's Soviet Union where a large state is trying unilaterally, with the use of force, to completely crush a neighbouring country and openly annex its territory.
This is inconceivable lawlessness and insolence ... Russia has done unthinkable damage to its place in the international community.
The question of the re-establishment of the territorial integrity of Georgia and the protection of its freedom — this is not an internal Georgian problem, or a question of Georgia and Russia. This is now a question of Russia and the rest of the civilised world. Georgia's future, is not only the future of Georgia, this is the future of the whole civilised world...
Deputy Foreign Minister Giga Bokeria said, "This is an unconcealed annexation of these territories, which are a part of Georgia."[21]
On 28 August, the Georgian Parliament passed a resolution declaring Abkhazia and South Ossetia "Russian-occupied territories" and instructed the government to annul all previous treaties on Russian peacekeeping.[22] The following day the government announced that it was severing diplomatic ties with Russia, with the Georgian Embassy in Moscow and the Russian Embassy in Tbilisi to close as a result. Georgia recalled its Ambassador from Russia and ordered all Russian diplomats to leave Georgia, saying that only consular relations would be maintained. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on this decision, saying that some 600,000 to 1 million Georgians in Russia would be left to the "mercy of fate".[23][24]
Later, Georgia also severed diplomatic relations with Nicaragua.[25] Georgia moved to economically isolate the regions. A ban on economic activity in the regions without Georgian permission was issued, and anyone caught violating this ban by the Georgian authorities faced prosecution. The Georgian Navy blockaded the coast of Abkhazia, and has seized 23 cargo ships trying to bring supplies to Abkhazia, most notably fuel supplies. Abkhazia is dependent on fuel imports, and faced a serious shortage as a result. Russia began deploying boats from its own Black Sea Fleet on 21 September 2009, in response.[26] In August 2009, Russia and South Ossetia accused Georgia of shelling Ossetian villages and kidnapping four South Ossetian citizens. Russia threatened to use force unless the shelling stopped, and put its troops stationed in South Ossetia on high alert.[27]
In January 2010, Georgia adopted a strategy regarding the reintegration of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.[28] The strategy is called Involvement through Cooperation and it was presented to the international organisations as well as to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The document says Georgia views peaceful methods as the only way for conflict solution and that there won't be a war with these regions. It envisions engagement of people of these two regions through education as well as social, economic and business projects, instead of isolation.[29][30]
It is officially illegal under Georgian law to enter South Ossetia or Abkhazia through Russia, without permission from Georgia; it is possible to travel through Georgian territory to Abkhazia, though as Georgia cannot assure the safety inside the disputed territories, going to either Abkhazia or South Ossetia is not recommended by the Georgian government.[31][32][33] It is not possible for foreigners to enter South Ossetia from Georgian controlled territory, as the South Ossetian de facto authorities do not facilitate nor allow this.[34]
The European Union, NATO,[35] the OSCE,[36] and the United States[37] immediately voiced displeasure with Russia's decision.
State | Date of recognition | Diplomatic relations established | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Russia | 26 August 2008[38][39][40] | 9 September 2008[41] | Ambassadors Semyon Grigoriyev and Elbrus Kargiyev presented their credentials to Abkhaz President Sergey Bagapsh and South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity on 16 December 2008.[42] An Embassy of Russia to South Ossetia was opened in February 2009.[43] An Embassy of South Ossetia to the Russian Federation was opened in 2009. An Embassy of Russia to Abkhazia was opened on 1 May 2009.[44] An Embassy of Abkhazia to Russia was opened on 18 May 2010.[45] |
2 | Nicaragua | 5 September 2008[46][47][48] | 10 September 2009 (Abkhazia)[49] 14 April 2010 (South Ossetia)[citation needed] |
The Ambassador of Nicaragua to Abkhazia resides in Moscow.[50] The South Ossetian Embassy in Managua was opened on 30 August 2011.[51]> In 2022, an Abkhaz Embassy in Nicaragua was established. Until then, Abkhazia was represented in Nicaragua via its Ambassador in Caracas.[52] |
3 | Venezuela | 10 September 2009[53] | 9 July 2010 (South Ossetia) 12 July 2010 (Abkhazia)[54][55] |
President Hugo Chávez met the leaders of both states in Caracas and said "I'm sure we, together with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, will be able to build strong relations with Latin American nations such as Paraguay, Uruguay, Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and Argentina."[56] Ambassador of Venezuela Hugo José García Hernández presented his credentials to Abkhaz President Sergey Bagapsh on 12 July 2010."[57] An Embassy of Abkhazia to Venezuela was opened on 12 July 2010.[58] |
4 | Nauru | 15 December 2009 (Abkhazia) 16 December 2009 (South Ossetia)[59] |
15 December 2009 (Abkhazia) 16 December 2009 (South Ossetia)[60] |
Representatives of Nauru were present as observers for the presidential elections in Abkhazia on 26 August 2011.[61] In 2018, the president of South Ossetia appointed a representative for Nauru.[62] |
5 | Syria | 29 May 2018 | 22 July 2018[63] | In 2015, the Abkhaz Foreign Minister Viacheslav Chirikba met the Syrian Ambassador to Russia, Riad Haddad, in Moscow and the two diplomats discussed bilateral relations. Chirikba said afterwards that "there was great interest by both parties to strengthening and deepening Syrian-Abkhaz relations. Will this lead in the end to Syria's recognition of Abkhazia [independence]? I think anything's possible, but this of course is the sovereign decision of the Syrian side."[citation needed] In May 2018, the Syrian government recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.[64][65] In October 2020, the Abkhazia government inaugurate Embassy chancery to the Damascus, Syria. |
State | Date of recognition | Diplomatic relations established | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Abkhazia South Ossetia |
19 September 2005 or before[note 1] | 26 September 2007[66] | Abkhazia and South Ossetia mutually recognise each other.[67] Embassy of South Ossetia to Abkhazia was opened on 15 April 2008.[citation needed] Ambassador of Abkhazia Nodar Pliev presented his credentials to South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity on 10 December 2010.[68] |
2 | Transnistria | 22 January 1993 or before (Abkhazia)[note 1] 12 October 1994 or before (South Ossetia)[note 1] |
— | Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia mutually recognise each other.[67] Representative offices of Transnistria in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have been opened.[69] Representative offices of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Tiraspol have been opened. |
State | Date of recognition | Diplomatic relations established | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tuvalu | 18 September 2011 (Abkhazia)[70] 19 September 2011 (South Ossetia)[citation needed] |
On 31 March 2014 Georgia and Tuvalu signed an agreement on establishing diplomatic and consular relations. The agreement was signed by Tuvalu's Minister of Environmental Protection, Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade, and Georgian Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze during the visit of Tuvalu's governmental delegation to Georgia. The agreement stipulates that both sides agreed to develop relations on the grounds of the principles of sovereign equality, friendly relations and cooperation, territorial integrity, non-violation of borders and non-interference in homeland affairs. It emphasises that Tuvalu recognises the territorial integrity of Georgia within its international recognised borders, including its regions – Abkhazia's autonomous republic and Tskhinvali region.[2][3][71] In April 2014, it was suggested that Russia was more embarrassed by Tuvalu's withdrawal of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, than by international sanctions for Crimea, since this "decision could spell the end of a years-long diplomatic strategy that has cost Russia millions."[72] | |
2 | Vanuatu | 23 May 2011 (Abkhazia)[73] | 23 May 2011 (Abkhazia)[74] |
On 23 May 2011 Vanuatu recognised Abkhazia's independence and established diplomatic relations, according to the Abkhazian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,[75] while Vanuatu initially remained silent on the issue.[76] Confusion arose about the actual status of the recognition after a change of Vanuatuan government in June 2011 when officials denied and others reconfirmed the recognition.[77] Russian newspaper Kommersant claimed to have laid their hands on a facsimile of a signed agreement between both countries.[73] However, the issue dragged on for months within Vanuatu's governing ranks,[78] according to some related to domestic power politics and personal feuds. In 2012 Vanuatu's UN envoy maintained the country does not recognize Abkhazia, while a senior official of Vanuatu's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this by saying "the country has definitely not recognized Abkhazia", adding "the government had expressed the intention to maintain dialogue with Abkhazia".[79] In corroboration of that, Vanuatu maintained throughout the years its support for Georgia's annually submitted United Nations resolution regarding the return of internally displaced persons to Abkhazia, generally seen as an expression of support for the territorial integrity of Georgia.[80] 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".[81][82] On 20 May 2013, the Georgian president Saakashvili said at an Asian summit Vanuatu "changed their mind" and does not recognize Abkhazia,[83] which Vanuatu's new Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil confirmed.[84] On 12 July 2013 Georgia and Vanuatu signed an agreement on establishing diplomatic and consular relations, which stated that "the Republic of Vanuatu recognises territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders, including its regions – the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia."[85] Abkhazia's Foreign Minister Viacheslav Chirikba responded by claiming that Vanuatu had not officially withdrawn its recognition of Abkhazia.[86] On 30 March 2015, Vanuatu Foreign Minister Sato Kilman met with Chirikba in Moscow, the two officials expressing their desire to strengthen bilateral relations.[87] The following day, Kilman declared in an interview with RIA Novosti that "nothing had changed" in respect to Vanuatu's 2011 recognition of Abkhazia, but that the Carcasses government had merely decided to pursue diplomatic relations with Georgia rather than Abkhazia, that he didn't consider diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and Georgia to be incompatible, and that he hoped diplomatic relations with Abkhazia would soon be formalised.[88] 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".[89][90] However, the following week Kilman replaced Natuman as Prime Minister.[91] On 14 March 2019 Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu met with his Georgian counterpart David Zalkaliani in Tbilisi.[92] 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.[5] 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[93] 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".[6] |
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