Vanuatu assured the Government of Abkhazia that the foundations laid by the late President in establishing political and economic relations between the states would continue to prosper.

[4] The same day, in an interview with Russia Today Maxim Gvinjia, the Abkhaz Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Vanuatu had recognised Abkhazia's independence and that diplomatic relations had been established.

[5][6] The diplomatic agreement had been signed on 23 May 2011 by Prime Ministers of Abkhazia Sergey Shamba and of Vanuatu Sato Kilman, and also established a visa-free travel regime between the two countries.

According to him, the Government of Vanuatu twice confirmed the establishment of diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and of their intention to contribute to the development of friendly ties between the two States.

"[citation needed] On 28 September 2011, Te Moli Venaos Mol Saken Goiset, Ambassador designate to Abkhazia from Vanuatu, congratulated the new Abkhaz President Alexander Ankvab on his inauguration.

[26] On 18 March 2013, Johnny Koanapo, Vanuatu Director-General of Foreign Affairs, stated that diplomatic relations had never been established with Abkhazia.

"[37] While Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili thanked the Vanuatuan government for withdrawing its recognition,[38] the Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Viacheslav Chirikba, insisted that Vanuatu had not officially withdrawn its recognition of Abkhazia,[39] On 30 March 2015, during a visit by Vanuatu Foreign Minister Sato Kilman to Moscow to discuss aid following Cyclone Pam, he met with his Abkhazian counterpart Viacheslav Chirikba.

[44] On 14 March 2019 Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu met with his Georgian counterpart David Zalkaliani in Tbilisi.

[45] 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.

[46] 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".