30.01.2009
Source:
Translation:
RusNavy.com
Russia and Abkhazia in the coming months will sign an agreement on the deployment of an airbase in Gudauti and a naval base in Ochamchiri, Christian Bzhania, the official spokesman of the Abkhaz president, told Ria Novosti by telephone.
“The signing of the agreement is expected in the coming months. We have to agree on technical issues,” Bzhania said.
Russia and Abkhaxia, based on the earlier signed friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance agreement between them, are now in consultations on the organization of the base.
The naval base in Ochamchiri will be meant for ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Bzhania noted.
He pointed out that the Bombora airbase (in the outskirts of Gudauti) could become operational earlier than the naval base.
Bzhania noted that these bases existed in Soviet times. “A grouping of ships of the border service of the USSR was based in the military port, while a grouping of the Soviet Air Force was based in the Bombora airbase,” Bzhania said.
Russia and Abkhazia have signed an agreement on principles on the creation of a base for the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the town of Ochamchiri (eastern part of Abkhazia) in 2009, but official documents have yet to be signed.
Sergei Bagapsh, president of the unrecognized republic of Abkhazia, said in January that “Abkhazia, based on the agreement on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance signed with Russia, is ready for practical cooperation in this area, to the official implementation of cooperation with the Black Sea Fleet.”
