Georgia to Raise Russian Military Bases’ Issue at Talks in Moscow

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, July 24, 2002) – At talks in Moscow Georgia Foreign Minister Irakli Menagharishvili will raise the issue of withdrawal of the Russian military bases from Georgia on July 24.

Georgian and Russian sides negotiate on framework agreement between the two countries. Political and military aspects of the agreement will be discussed today. These are the most problematic issues of the agreement.

Russian side demands 14 years for withdrawal from Batumi (Adjarian Autonomous Republic) and Akhalkalaki (southern part of Georgia) military bases. Georgian side claims that 3 years for pulling out are enough.