Georgia, Russia Renew Talks on Military Bases

(Tbilisi February 17, 2003. Civil Georgia) – On February 17-18 experts of the Georgian Foreign Ministry hold talks with the Russian counterparts in Moscow regarding the Russian military bases deployed in Georgia.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry reports that the issue of the rent for use of the Georgian territory by the Russian military bases will be discussed during the talks.

On February 19 Georgian Foreign Minister Irakli Menagharishvili will joint the talks regarding the withdrawal of the Russian military bases in Batumi and Akhalkalaki.

Georgia still wants the bases to be disbanded within the 3 years, while the Russian side claims 11 years are necessary to pull out its military equipment from these bases.

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