Georgia, Russia to Resume Talks over Military Bases
A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Yakovenko, said on June 10, that the talks over the withdrawal of Russia?s two military bases in Georgia ?will be resumed in the near future.?
?The Georgian and Russian sides agreed to resume talks over dates regarding the withdrawal of the Russian military bases from Georgia,? Alexander Yakovenko said.
Russian official also reiterated that Tbilisi and Moscow will discuss the potential setting up of a joint, anti-terrorist center in Georgia in exchange for these withdrawals.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry issued an appeal on May 31 urging the Russian authorities to participate in a new round of negotiations on military issues in Tbilisi on June 10-11.
The Georgian and Russian sides are at odds over two Russian military bases ? one in the southern Georgian town of Akhalkalaki and the other in the Adjarian Autonomous Republic?s capital, Batumi.
The 1999 OSCE Istanbul Treaty clearly prescribed for the Russian and Georgia sides to reach an agreement on this issue before 2001. However, since then, Russian and Georgian officials have failed to meet the deadlines set for the closure of these two bases.
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili says that Tbilisi insists on Russia pulling out within three years, while Moscow demands ?eight years, or even more.?
