Zourabichvili Comments on Talks with Russia, Military Bases

In an interview published by the Georgian daily 24 Hours on May 26, Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili said that the Russian-Georgian talks over pullout of Russia?s military bases are advancing. She also said that stereotypes of the past make many difficulties in the process of the negotiation.

Zourabichvili said that the issue of timeframe of the bases withdrawal still remains unsolved. ?They [the Russian side] mainly cite technical problems. They say: what shall we do with our soldiers, much money is needed for their accommodation, where shell we take them etc,? the Georgian Foreign Minister said.

She also said that the Georgian side is ready to provide ?moderate? assistance to Russia in the process of withdrawal.

Zourabichvili also said that talks can not be dragged out in time. 

When asked what the deadline is, which the Georgian side pushes forward for the bases withdrawal, Zourabichvili replied: 2008. But she refrained to specify details of the talks with the Russian side.

She also said that Georgia?s partner countries are regularly informed by the Georgian officials regarding the details of this negotiation process, adding that this process is transparent in this regard.

Zourabichvili said that very often the Georgian side feels that the Russian side is ?irritated,? which creates difficulties in the negotiations.

?They can not perceive us as neighbors, with whom it is possible to have common interests,? the Georgian Foreign Minister said.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)