Vanuatu's foreign minister, Alfred Carlot, says a process is underway to establish diplomatic relations with Georgia.
The minister announced this at the weekend to Radio Vanuatu which also reported the prime minister, Sato Kilman, as saying forging ties with the former Soviet republic is in his country's interests.
The move comes two years after Mr Carlot recognised Abkhazia, the Russian-backed breakaway region of Georgia.
However, the Director-General of Foreign Affairs, Johnny Koanapo, says Vanuatu has no formal relations with Abkhazia but is seeking ties with Georgia.
"The Foreign Minister made it clear in the parliament that it is important to establish diplomatic relations with Georgia as well which is something that the government will pursue in the near future."
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Johnny Koanapo of Vanuatu's foreign ministry
