(Tbilisi February 20, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Kosovan called talks over Russian military bases in Georgia with the Georgian Foreign Minister Irakli Menagharishvili ?extremely hard.?
Georgian Foreign Minister held talks in Russian capital on February 18-19.
There is no progress regarding the agreement between Russia and Georgia on terms of withdrawal of the Russian military bases from Akhalkalaki and Batumi. Russia still insists on 11 years to disband these bases, while the Georgian side demands 3 years.
Georgia is also doubtful regarding the closure of the military base in Gudauta, Georgia?s breakaway Abkhazia.
Russia claims that the base is already disbanded, while the Georgian authorities want the international monitoring of the base, as confident in Russia?s assurance.
According to the 1999 OSCE Istanbul treaty Russia disbanded its military base in Vaziani by July 1 2001 and claims it has already pulled out weaponry from Gudauta.
According to the same treaty during the year 2000 Russia and Georgia were to complete negotiations regarding the duration and modalities of the functioning of the Russian military bases at Batumi and Akhalkalaki and the Russian military facilities within the territory of Georgia.
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