Powell, Ivanov Discussed Georgia

The situation in Georgia, including in breakaway Abkhazia, and the issue of Russian military bases on the territory of Georgia were discussed during the meeting of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on January 26 in Moscow.

The Russian Foreign Minister reiterated Russia’s support to developing good neighborly, constructive relations between Georgia and Russia, based on respect for interests of both countries, especially in the securities field.

“We have agreed with the Georgian leadership that as soon as the process of the nation of the new Georgian government is completed, we will resume the activities of the working group, including the group to deal with the issue of military bases, to find solutions which will be acceptable to both sides,” Igor Ivanov said at a joint news briefing with Colin Powell on January 26.

The U.S. Secretary of State said the United States’ interest in Georgia is to help the country build a solid democracy.

“We have been providing financial assistance to Georgia, we will be supporting the new President in every way we can. This is an area where Russia and the United States can cooperate with one another and not find a source for competition. Our military presence there was to help the Georgians deal with terrorist threats that existed in Georgia,” Colin Powell said at the news briefing.

“That mission will be coming to an end in the near future and then we will have normal military-to-military and political-to-political, diplomatic-to-diplomatic relations with Georgia,” Powell added.

He expressed gratitude to the Russian President and the Foreign Minister for their willingness to enter into discussions with Georgia on all issues, especially with the issue surrounding the presence of Russian military bases.

The U.S. Secretary of State and the Russian Foreign Minister attended the inauguration of the new President of Georgia on January 25 in Tbilisi. Both of them held talks with President Saakashvili and other members of the Georgian leadership.