Abashidze Concerned over Military Exercises Near Adjara

Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze expressed concern regarding the upcoming large-scale military exercises, scheduled by the Georgian Defense Ministry for April 30-May 2 in town of Poti at Black Sea coast near the Adjarian Autonomy.

“Military exercises on the background of confrontation [between the country’s central authorities and Adjarian leadership] are a source of concern,” Aslan Abashidze said in an interview to the Russian NTV television on April 27.

Georgian Defense Ministry has started dispatching of battle tanks and armored vehicles to the western Georgian town of Post on April 27, which will participate in the military exercises.

Armored vehicles, coastguard vessels and air forces, as well as soldiers trained by the U.S. military instructors in frames of Georgia Train-and-Equip Program will be involved in the exercise.