Military Equipment to Leave Batumi Base on July 30

Officials from the Headquarters of the Russian Troops in the Trans Caucasus and the Georgian General Staff of the Armed Forces agreed during talks on July 29 that the first convoy of Russian armored vehicles will leave the Russian military base in Batumi on July 30.

The launch of the withdrawal of a part of Russian armored vehicles from Batumi was scheduled to get underway on July 29, but was postponed by the Russian side, which cited the Georgian authorities’ delay in issuing official documentation and visas to its troops.

?The Georgian side assured that all the necessary papers will be issued today and the withdrawal of nine vehicles will launch tomorrow at 7 am,? Deputy Commander of the Headquarters of the Russian Troops in the Trans Caucasus Col. Vladimir Kuparadze told reporters on July 29.

The Georgian Justice Ministry, which is in charge of issuing official documentation authorizing the movement of vehicles, announced on July 29 that the Russian side appealed the Ministry for permission on July 28 and the papers were issued within a day.

Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili also commented on the case and reiterated that the Georgian side is interested in the withdrawal of Russian bases in ?a civilized form.?

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