Russia Concerned over Visa Delays for its Troops in Georgia

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concern on October 30 regarding, as Moscow put it, Georgia?s ?delay? to grant entry visas to the Russian servicemen, who are expected to be deployed in the Russian military base in southern Georgian town of Akhalkalaki.

?We think that the delay in granting of visas to Russian servicemen and their families is unjustified and politically motivated. We hope that official Tbilisi will take a constructive position in this regard,? the Russian Foreign Ministry information note issued on October 30, reads.
 
?Granting of visas needs particular time,? the Georgian Foreign Ministry official told Civil Georgia. Official said that the Ministry will make a statement regarding the issue on November 1.
 
Reportedly, over 400 servicemen, currently deployed on the Russian military base in the Armenian city of Gyumri, are waiting for the Georgian entry visas.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry?s information note, Georgia explains delay in issuing visas with the fact that the number of Russian servicemen, which will be deployed in Akhalkalaki, exceeds the number of those soldiers, which will be replaced.

Deputy Commander of the Headquarters of Group of Russian Troops in Trans Caucasus, Col. Vladimir Kuparadze told Russian daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta that in previous years there were less soldiers at the Akhalkalaki military base than it is considered with the agreement between Russia and Georgia.

?Now more soldiers will be deployed in Akhalkalaki, but their numbers will not exceed those envisaged by the agreement,? Col. Kuparadze said.