Joint Statement of the Russian Federation and Georgia

Istanbul, 17 November 1999

The Russian Federation and Georgia,

guided by paragraphs 14.2.3 and 14.2.7 of the Decision of the Joint Consultative

Group of 30 March 1999 concerning adaptation of the CFE Treaty, confirming their intention to properly implement the adapted CFE Treaty as adopted, wishing to promote the development and strengthening of co-operative relations between the Russian Federation and Georgia,

have agreed as follows.

1. The Russian Side undertakes to reduce, by no later than 31 December 2000, the levels of its TLE located within the territory of Georgia in such a way that they will not exceed 153 tanks, 241 ACVs and 140 artillery systems.

2. No later than 31 December 2000, the Russian Side will withdraw (dispose of) the

TLE located at the Russian military bases at Vaziani and Gudauta and at the repair facilities in Tbilisi. The Russian military bases at Gudauta and Vaziani will be disbanded and withdrawn by 1 July 2001. The issue of the utilization, including the joint utilization, of the military facilities and infrastructure of the disbanded Russian military bases remaining at those locations will be resolved within the same time-frame.

3. The Georgian Side undertakes to grant to the Russian Side the right to basic

temporary deployment of its TLE at facilities of the Russian military bases at Batumi and Akhalkalaki.

4. The Georgian Side will facilitate the creation of the conditions necessary for reducing and withdrawing the Russian forces. In this connection, the two Sides note the readiness of OSCE participating States to provide financial support for this process.

5. During the year 2000 the two Sides will complete negotiations regarding the duration and modalities of the functioning of the Russian military bases at Batumi and Akhalkalaki and the Russian military facilities within the territory of Georgia.

(http://www.osce.org/mc/43197)