World | Other World Stories
Russian Duma ratifies Georgian provinces pacts
Russia's parliament yesterday ratified treaties cementing close economic and military ties with Georgia's two breakaway provinces.
- AP
- Published: 23:43 October 29, 2008
Moscow: Russia's parliament yesterday ratified treaties cementing close economic and military ties with Georgia's two breakaway provinces.
The State Duma, or lower house, voted unanimously to endorse the friendship treaties with Abkhazia and South Ossetia which were signed in the Kremlin last month.
Russia recognised both provinces as independent states following its war with Georgia in August. The treaties envisage the deployment of 3,800 Russian troops in each of the two provinces.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a letter to lawmakers that the treaties were necessary to create the legal basis for the deployment of Russian troops to the territories.
"The Russian troops presence is necessary to protect peace in the region and ensure reliable security," the ministry said, adding that the treaties envisage aid in case of aggression. Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin told lawmakers yesterday that the troop numbers could be reduced in the future, if the security situation improves there.
He criticised Georgia for deploying special forces to the areas near Abkhazia and South Ossetia, saying that creates an "explosive" situation in the region. Georgian officials have said they can deploy police forces wherever they deem it necessary. Russia has said it fully met its commitments under a peace deal brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy which obliged Moscow to withdraw its forces.
Share this article
News Editor's choice
-
Did Woods' wife cause golfer to crash?
Online celebrity gossip website said star told a friend that Elin was responsible
-
Security services work round-the-clock
Police central operations room gets 3,223 calls during Eid holidays
-
Aquino, running mate file certificates of candidacy
Number of showbusiness glitterati show support for Cory's son
