The Tskhinvali region and Nicaragua signed a diplomatic visa exemption agreement on February 27 in Moscow, allowing easier travel for diplomats. This agreement comes amid the backdrop of Nicaragua’s early recognition of Tskhinvali’s independence post-2008 conflict. It raises concerns over sovereignty and the status of regions closely tied to Russia.
On February 27, the Russian-backed Tskhinvali Region, also known as South Ossetia, and Nicaragua established a diplomatic visa exemption agreement. This arrangement allows holders of diplomatic, official, service, and foreign passports from both entities to travel without visa formalities. The agreement was finalized during a meeting in Moscow, attended by Tskhinvali’s “foreign minister” Akhsar Dzhioev and Nicaragua’s “ambassador” Alba Azucena Torres Mejía, along with other officials from both delegations.
The Tskhinvali “foreign ministry” stated that the discussions also covered enhancing bilateral relations and addressing current international issues. Nicaragua was one of the pioneering nations to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region following the Russian-Georgian conflict in 2008, shortly after Russia’s recognition.
As a result of Nicaragua’s recognition, diplomatic relations between Tbilisi and Managua were severed in November 2008. Besides Nicaragua, only a few countries, including Russia, Nauru, Venezuela, and Syria, recognize the independence of these regions. The majority of the international community, including the Georgian government, views these areas as occupied territories and any engagement with their authorities as a violation of Georgian sovereignty.
The recent agreement between Tskhinvali and Nicaragua reflects ongoing diplomatic ties following historical recognition of independence. While this strengthens relations for the Tskhinvali Region, it also underscores the contentious political status of these territories that remains unrecognized by most of the global community. The situation continues to be sensitive, given the implications for Georgian sovereignty.
Original Source: civil.ge
