TBILISI, June 21 (AVN) - Russia and Georgia will discuss payment of rent for the Russian bases located in Georgia during the seventh leg of bilateral military negotiations that starts in Moscow on Friday, Georgian Tax Minister Mikhail Machavariani told the Military News Agency.
Experts are discussing conclusion of a corresponding agreement which is to fix the rent. "The fact that the Russian military must pay needs no discussion," Machavariani said.
The Georgian Ministry of State Property Control has the same opinion. After the status of Russian military bases is defined, registration and assessment of property will happen, it says. According to minister Levan Dzneladze, the property used by the Russian military for stationing its troops belongs to Georgia. "The property is operated and that is why Georgia and its budget should get financial compensation," Dzneladze said.
The Georgian party is ready for constructive discussion of all polictical and financial problems of the Russian bases' staying in its territory, Georgian Foreign Minister Irakly Menagarishvili, who is to lead the Georgian party at the negotiations, told reporters before leaving for Moscow on Thursday. "We have to fix the term for 12th and 62nd military bases withdrawal from Batumi and Akhalkalaki which is truly needed for Russia and which is optimal for Georgia," Menagarishvili said.
Russia's claims to keep those bases in Georgia for 14 years more are unconvincing, the minister stressed.