The Abkhaz parliament has ratified an agreement with Russia on creation of a joint military base in the breakaway Georgian republic, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported on Tuesday.
Russia has signed agreements with Abkhazia and another breakaway Georgian republic, South Ossetia, to set up military bases there for an initial term of 49 years, with possible extensions for an additional 15 years.
The Russian parliament's lower house, the State Duma, ratified the agreement on September 22 and the upper house followed suit on September 28. Georgia's Foreign Ministry has condemned the move as an illegal and irresponsible legitimization of the Russian military presence in the separatist regions.
The Abkhaz president’s parliamentary representative, Dmitry Shamba, has noted that the military base is to be created “in response to a request by the Abkhaz authorities to deploy Russian military units in the republic’s territory in order to provide military assistance to protect Abkhazia’s sovereignty and security from external and terrorist threats.”
Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008, following a five-day war with Georgia. The war began when Georgia attacked South Ossetia, where most residents are Russian passport holders. Russia's decision has been condemned by many nations. Georgia considers the two regions part of its sovereign territory.
Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and the tiny island nations of Nauru, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu are the only other countries to have recognized the republics.
Russia has repeatedly stated its readiness to act as a guarantor of non-use of force agreements between Georgia and its breakaway republics.
