Georgia and Russia Hopeful on Framework Agreement

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, July 25, 2002) – Reports say quoting Boris Pastukhov, head of the Russian governmental commission at negotiations with the Georgian side, that the framework agreement between the two countries will be signed this year.

On July 24 Georgian delegation led by Irakli Menagharishvili, Foreign Affairs Minister held talks in Moscow concerning the agreement on friendship and cooperation.

Irakli Menagharishvili told the reporters that in case the “talks continue in this way drafting of the agreement may be even completed in the nearest weeks”.

“The negotiations were constructive. We argued less and tried to find ways to solve the problems,” Georgian Foreign Minister said.

The most problematic issue of the framework agreement is the military aspect of the document, concerning the deployment on Russian military bases in Georgia.