NATO-Russia Council Discussed Georgia

Secretary General of NATO Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said, after a session of the NATO-Russia Council in Vilnius, Lithuania on April 21, that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov briefed the NATO member countries regarding the Russo-Georgian talks over the withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia.

?While we may differ in our approaches, we all are keen to see the prompt resolution of outstanding issues, and Allies underscored that this includes those related to the withdrawal of Russian bases from Georgia ? a development Allies believe would pave the way for ratification and entry into force of the updated CFE Treaty. And of course, NATO nations and Russia share a common support for Georgia?s sovereignty and territorial integrity,? Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said at a news conference.

But Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a news conference after the session of the NATO-Russia Council that it is unacceptable to link Russia?s bilateral talks with Georgia and Moldova over military bases with the ratification of CFE Treaty.

Lavrov said that he also informed the Foreign Ministers of NATO member states regarding Russia?s role in conflict resolution issues in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

?We are ready to facilitate a peaceful resolution of conflicts on the Georgian territory solely, including the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-South Ossetian conflicts,? RIA Novosti news agency reported quoting Lavrov as saying.

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