Georgian Envoy Comments on Joint Anti-Terrorism Center

Georgian Ambassador to Russia Valery Chechelashvili said at a news conference in Moscow on December 10 that there is no need for the presence of Russian, or any other foreign country?s, military bases in Georgia, adding that the proposal over transforming Russia?s two military bases into joint anti-terrorism centers ?is very interesting.?

?Against the background of those challenges, which both Russia and Georgia are currently facing, the proposal over joint anti-terrorism centers is an interesting one and Tbilisi will thoroughly consider this,? Interfax news agency reported quoting Valery Chechelashvili as saying.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov said on December 10 that Russian military bases in Batumi and Akhalkalaki might be transformed into Georgian-Russian anti-terrorism centers.

However, the Georgian diplomat said that two anti-terroristm centers ?will be too much.? He said that setting up of one anti-terrorism center in Batumi would be the most appropriate measure.

?We should agree on the functions, aims and tasks of this anti-terrorism center, as well as how the combat element of this center will be composed,? Valery Chechelashvili said.

?This will be a joint center. It can not be the Russian Federation?s anti-terrorism center on the territory of Georgia,? the Georgian Ambassador added.