Nauru's president Baron Waqa has reaffirmed his country's ties with Abkhazia during a visit to the Russian-backed breakaway region of Georgia.
Nauru President Baron Waqa. Photo: RNZI / Koro Vaka'uta
Mr Waqa is reported to have visited the region on Sunday.
He met with the de facto President of Abkhazia, Raul Khajimba, and expressed a wish to intensify relations.
Mr Waqa said Abkhazians should consider Nauru as a sincere friend and supporter.
"I want to see your country as our best friend in this part of the world! I want to assure you that the people of Nauru know Abkhazia well, and consider Nauru as our friend. I am confident that we will have the opportunity to learn from you a lot. We want our relations to remain intense and forever lasting," Mr Waqa told Mr Khajimba.
Nauru is among four countries that recognise Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent republics.
The others are Venezuela, Nicaragua and Russia.