Russian Duma ratifies Georgian provinces pacts

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.