Important meetings between Russian and Georgian delegates to take place in Moscow at the end of July

A number of important meetings between Georgian and Russian representatives will take place in Moscow at the end of July, a Russian Security Council member informed Russian journalists in Tbilisi on Wednesday.

According to him, negotiations on signing a framework agreement between Russia and Georgia are to continue on July 24th.

The last day of the month will see Russian-Georgian consultations on military issues, including those of Russian servicemen's presence at Georgian bases.

Russia and Georgia differ on the possible time of the withdrawal: the Georgian side insists on 2-3 years, the Russian side - on 14-15 years, the Russian expert explained.

According to him, the main problem is that it will cost much to withdraw Russian servicemen from Georgia and then to quarter them in Russia /about $200 mln/.

"Who will pay for it? Russia cannot afford it, however, if the Georgian side finds a sponsor to do it, the timeframe for the withdrawal may be reduced to 10 years," the Russian Security Council representative said.