The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia regrets the forced nature of the decision of the Republic of Nauru to terminate diplomatic relations with the Republic of Abkhazia, made under unprecedented and systematic external pressure.
Since the recognition of the Republic of Abkhazia by the Republic of Nauru on December 15, 2009, and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states, a constructive political dialogue has been established and the foundation for the development of legal cooperation has been laid. A significant milestone in the development of bilateral relations was the reciprocal visits at the highest and most senior levels, including a visit by the leadership of the Republic of Nauru to the Republic of Abkhazia and a return visit by the Abkhazian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia. Following these contacts, the parties continued the consistent development of bilateral cooperation, including the implementation of joint projects and initiatives aimed at giving practical substance to cooperation.
The development of cooperation between the Republic of Abkhazia and the Republic of Nauru has consistently encountered resistance from Georgia and its Western partners. As joint initiatives turned into practice, a campaign of aggressive external pressure was unleashed against the Republic of Nauru. The entire arsenal of unacceptable methods of strangulation and coercion was used – from unceremonious political blackmail and brutal diplomatic pressure to outright financial and economic repression and punitive sanctions aimed at reconsidering the sovereign choice of the Republic of Nauru.
Clear evidence of the pressure methods used are the public statements made by former President of the Republic of Nauru, Baron Waqa, during his visit to the Republic of Abkhazia. He openly spoke of the unprecedented pressure exerted on his country following the recognition of the independence of the Republic of Abkhazia, as well as attempts to coerce the Republic of Nauru into renouncing its previously adopted sovereign decision through direct bribery and financial influence.
It should be noted that during official contacts, the former leadership of the Republic of Nauru repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of sovereign equality of states and the inadmissibility of interference in the independent formation of foreign policy.
The decision of the Republic of Nauru to rupture diplomatic relations was a direct result of prolonged, systematic political and diplomatic pressure aimed at restricting the Republic of Abkhazia's international relations and reconsidering the independent decision made by a sovereign state.
For many years, states maintaining diplomatic relations with the Republic of Abkhazia have faced external pressure aimed at abandoning their independently determined foreign policy course. Small states, with limited resources to counter large-scale political, diplomatic, and economic instruments of influence, are particularly vulnerable to such pressure.
Such practice contradicts the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, including the principles of the sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs. It demonstrates alarming trends in the modern system of international relations, where political pressure is increasingly used in place of equal dialogue, and geopolitical considerations are beginning to prevail over the principles of international law.
Historical experience shows that policies of pressure, threats, economic constraint, and attempts of artificial isolation are incapable of changing existing political realities.
The Republic of Abkhazia remains committed to strengthening its international subject status, protecting its national interests, and developing mutually beneficial cooperation with states that share the principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect, and international law.