Russia and Georgia prepare agreement about withdrawal of Russian military bases. According to the project 62-th Russian military base in Akhalkalaki will become a first one to leave Georgian territory.

Evacuation of heavy military equipment should end by 2006. The final closure of the base will be held no later than on December 31, 2007.

Withdrawals of 6-th military base from Batumi and administration of Russian troops from Transcaucasia are planned for 2008. Real estate of Russian military bases and objects will be passed to Georgia, all other property and equipment will be moved to Russian territory.

By some information, the agreement projects about withdrawal of Russian bases will be signed by premier-minister Mikhail Fradkov within several weeks and will be passed for approval of Russian president afterwards. As soon as Putin signs these documents, Russian bases on territory of Georgia will start functioning "in regime of withdrawal".

As a reminder Georgian government insists on soonest withdrawal of Russian bases from territory of republic. In March of 2005 Georgian parliament adopted a resolution demanding Russian servicemen to leave Georgia by January 1, 2006. But the head of Russian Ministry of Defense has announced then that it will take 3-4 years to withdraw military bases. Earlier Russian servicemen named sufficiently longer term of 11 years.

Georgian authorities declare that after withdrawal of Russian bases from its territory, troops of other countries will not be placed instead.
sections: Politics, World News