Tuvalu has recognized the independence of Abkhazia, Foreign Minister of Abkhazia Maksim Gvinjiya said today, RIA Novosti reports.
Tuvalu is a Polynesian island nation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
A recognition document was signed In Sukhumi on September 18. Signatures were put by the Prime Ministers of Abkhazia and Tuvalu, Sergey Shamba and Willy Telavi.
Abkhazia has been recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru and Vanuatu.
South Ossetia was attacked by Georgian forces on August 8, 2008. Part of its capital, Tskhinvali, was destroyed. Russia forced out Georgian forces from the region in 5 days. Many South Ossetians were granted Russian citizenship.
In response, Tbilisi broke off diplomatic ties with Moscow and proclaimed its breakaway republics South Ossetia and Abkhazia to be "occupied territories".
