Russia, Georgia Resume Talks on Military Bases

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, December 10, 2002) – Delegation of the Russian experts arrives in Tbilisi today to hold talks with the Georgian side on the Russian military bases deployed in Georgia.

According to the Georgian Foreign Affairs Ministry the dates of the closure of the Russian military bases at Batumi (Autonomous Republic of Adjara) and Akhalkalaki (southern Georgia) will be discussed during the meeting.

The issue of the Gudauta base in Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia will also be discussed. Russia insists that it has already pulled out from the base, while the Georgian side doubts concerning the closure of the base.

Kakha Sikharulidze, Spokesman for the Georgian Foreign Ministry told the Rustavi 2 TV channel that the Georgian and Russian experts will discuss the issue of rent for use of the Georgian territory by the Russian soldiers.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)