Georgia signed on March 31 an agreement to establish diplomatic relations with the tiny South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu, which has retracted its 2011 recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The protocol on establishing diplomatic relations was signed in Tbilisi by Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Tourism, Environment, and Labour of Tuvalu Taukelina Finikaso, who is visiting Georgia this week.

Tuvalu recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia under the previous government led by PM Willy Telavi in September, 2011. In 2013 Willy Telavi was replaced by new Prime Minister, Enele Sopoaga, who at the time of being in opposition in 2011 voiced criticism over then PM Telavi’s decision to recognize Georgia’s two breakaway regions without consulting with the parliament.

Last year Georgia also signed an agreement on establishing diplomatic relations with Vanuatu after this small island state in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean affirmed its support to Georgia’s territorial integrity, putting an end to confusion and uncertainty surrounding Vanuatu’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2011.

Apart of Russia, Georgia’s breakaway regions’ now remain recognized by Nicaragua, Venezuela and the tiny Pacific island of Nauru.

“Georgia welcomes the establishment of diplomatic relations with Tuvalu and expresses hope that such decision by Tuvalu will become an example for those states, which recognize Georgia’s occupied regions through violating the fundamental principles of international law,” Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze said after the agreement was signed.

Citing the signed protocol, Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister said that his country supports Georgia’s territorial integrity in its international recognized borders, which also includes Abkhazia and South Ossetia.