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Russia ratifies agreement on military bases in Abkhazia, South Ossetia

The documents specify the duration of the presence of the Russian bases on the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia - 49 years, with possible automatic prolongation every...

MOSCOW, September 28 (Itar-Tass) — The Federation Council (the upper house of the Russian parliament) on Wednesday has ratified Russia’s agreements with Abkhazia and South Ossetia on deployment of Russian military bases on their territories. Both agreements were submitted to the Upper House for approval by the Russian president on August 8, 2011.

The documents specify the duration of the presence of the Russian bases on the territory of Abkhazia and South Ossetia - 49 years, with possible automatic prolongation every fifteen years. The documents aim to ensure Russia’s long term military presence in this region and strengthening its security, the documents say in explanatory notes.

In particular, the agreements stipulate the order of functioning of the Russian joint military bases for purposes of the defence of sovereignty and security of the Russian Federation, the Republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, flights of Russian aircraft, navigation of naval and auxiliary naval ships, ground transport facilities, establish the order of using communication facilities and crossing the state border. The documents also envisage the order of using real estate, including land plots, defines the status of servicemen deployed at the military bases, the status of their families and civilian personnel. The agreements also envisage privileges and immunities entitled to Russian servicemen and their families similar to technical- administrative personnel of diplomatic missions.

The documents envisage that within six months since the date of signing Abkhazia and South Ossetia are to turn over to Russia all the real estate available in the assigned areas of the location of the Russian military bases.

The ratification of these documents will promote development of friendly relations between Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia and strengthening their mutually advantageous cooperation in ensuring peace and international security, which meets the interests of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council’s committee for international affairs declared.

The parliaments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have already ratified the document.