Georgia hopes for immediate talks with Russia on military bases

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, December 10, 2003

Georgia hopes for immediate talks with Russia on military bases

The Georgian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it hopes to hold negotiations immediately with Russia on the handing back of two Russian military bases in Georgia.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The Georgian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it hopes to hold negotiations immediately with Russia on the handing back of two Russian military bases in Georgia.

A foreign ministry statement said it was completely possible for Russia to hand back its two military bases and other military facilities within three years. Russia's use of political upsets in Georgia as excuses for suspending negotiations were unacceptable.

The statement said what was happening in Georgia was in accordance with the country's constitution, and should have no impact on the negotiations with Russia on military issues.

Russia agreed in 1999 to hand back its military bases in Georgia before July 1, 2001, but so far has only pulled back two of them, and there remaining two.

Georgia has been insisting that Russia hand back the two bases, at Akhalkalaki and Batumi, in southern and southwestern Georgia, within three years, while Russia says it needs a decade to build facilities for the returning troops.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Georgia's Saakashvili launches presidential election campaign

Moscow calls for equality in Russian-Georgian-US ties

Georgia seeks end to Russian "big brother" meddling

US TV dump charges not just a biz spat: Analysis ( 4 Messages)

China not to tolerate splitting Taiwan from motherland: Premier ( 3 Messages)

Trade war? A buying spree for cheap Chinese goods ( 3 Messages)

Moon probe to blast off in 3 years: Chief scientists ( 2 Messages)

Bush strategy: Spend now, pay later? ( 35 Messages)