Russia’s Vremya Novostey daily reports that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov offered a realistic compromise to his Georgian counterpart while visiting Tbilisi on February 18.
Quoting unidentified, high level sources at the Ministies of Defense and Foreign Affairs of Russia, Vremya Novostey reports that Lavrov offered to create an anti-terrorism center based in Batumi, using the infrastructure of the Russian military base there, with a headquarters in Tbilisi. The newspaper’s “high-ranking military source” said “this is practically the first time when Russia has offered in writing to withdraw its military base in Akhalkalaki fully and without conditions.”
Regarding the dates of a withdrawal, the sources say Russia initially offered a “three-plus-five” formula, meaning three years for preparation for the withdrawal and opening of the anti-terrorist center, and five years for completing the withdrawal. The daily also says there are signs that even this timeline can be shortened.
Vremya Novostey also claims Russia no longer insists on including the clause that Georgia must refuse to station third-country military bases on its territory within the Framework Agreement between the two countries. The main position of Russia is for Georgia to make an international commitment to this end, perhaps in the form of the diplomatic note.
The newspaper claims there are still unresolved issues; for instance it is unclear who would be financing the anti-terrorist center, and which agencies – Defense or Security – would be responsible for it.