Georgia Protests on Russian Defense Minister’s Statement on Military Bases

(Tbilisi, March 29, Civil Georgia) – Georgia expresses concern regarding the Russian Defense Minister’s statement that US plans on Georgia may delay Russian pull out from the military bases in Georgia.

“Georgia demands official explanation from Russia concerning the Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov’s statement,” Georgian Foreign Minister Irakli Menagarishvili stated at the special news briefing on March 29.

Menagarishvili said that it seems hysteric in Russia concerning the US military deployment in Georgia aims to hinder US-Georgian military cooperation.     

Russia should comply with its commitment to close its military bases in Georgia as the agreement of 1999 Istanbul OSCE summit states, Georgian Foreign Minister said.

Irakli Menagarishvili stated that details of US military trainers’ arrival to Georgia are discussed at the moment. He ruled out possibility that US instructors might not arrive at all.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said on March 28 that aggravated situation in Abkhazia and US military deployment to Georgia may delay Russian military bases’ withdrawal from Georgia.

He expressed hope that US plans on Georgia now will be adjusted.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian)