Saakashvili: No Need for ‘Loud Statements’ as Bases Row Solved

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said in Warsaw on May 17 that the problem regarding the withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia is “already decided” and there is no need to make “loud statements;” he also said that Tbilisi does not want to make this issue “an apple of discord” between Russia and Georgia.

Saakashvili said at a news conference in the Polish capital that progress has been made in the talks and a “civilized way” for the bases’ withdrawal has been found. But he also expressed caution and said that he will “believe” in this progress only after he “see[s] a finalized document” signed by the Georgian and Russian Presidents.

He also said that this withdrawal of Russian bases from Batumi and Akhalkalaki is an “irreversible” process.

Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili, who is accompanying President Saakashvili at the Warsaw Council of Europe Summit, told reporters on May 17 that talks between Russia and Georgia exerts will be held in Tbilisi on May 23.

She said that Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Merab Antadze and Russian Foreign Ministry’s special envoy Igor Savolsky will chair the their respective sides at the talks.

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