Talks on reducing Russian military presence in Georgia unproductive

Talks in Moscow on November 12-13 regarding the further reduction of Russian military bases in Georgia did not lead to any concrete results. The Foreign Ministry told Rosbalt that a group of experts reviewed the fulfillment of the Istanbul agreement between Russia and Georgia, which was signed on November 17, 1999 and relates to the reduction of the Russian military presence in Georgia.

Russian representatives at the talks said that, in accordance with the Istanbul agreement, the Russian military presence has been reduced to the level stated in the agreement. Russian military bases in Vaziana and Gudaut have been reduced and restructured. Russia is also prepared to review the question of abbreviating the functions of Russian military bases in Akhalkalaka and Batumi before the date specified in the agreement. In the agreement, Georgia requires that Russian military bases be reduced over the course of three years. Russia has eleven months to fulfill this part of the agreement.