TBILISI. Dec 26 (Interfax-AVN) - Georgia plans to start consultations with Russia in early January on taxing Russian military bases located in the country, Georgian Finance Minister Mirian Gogiashvili told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday.
He said that the Georgian government has worked out proposals on the issue that are to be handed over to the Russian party "in the form of claims." At the same time, the claims will not concern previous years.
According to Gogiashvili, the Georgian government believes that Russia must pay a fixed tax on its military bases starting from 2003.
"The sum is not determined yet, and the consultations will be held for this purpose," the minister noted.
The Georgian parliament ordered in November to start negotiations with Russia on taxing ground and materiel that are being temporarily used by Russian military. The lawmakers said that Russia owes to Georgia over USD700m and another USD10-15m for damage to environment for a period starting in 1991.