EN
12 October 2000 - 15:49 AMT

GEORGIA THINKS THAT AFTER BISHKEK AGREEMENTS RUSSIA WILL NOT BE IMPARTIAL TOWARD KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

12.10.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. The six member-states of the CIS Collective Security Agreement decided on October 11 in Bishkek to form joint military subdivisions. This may cause a misbalance in the Caucasus, told Prime News the deputy chief of international relations service of the State Office of Georgia, Shalva Pichkhadze. According to him, such broadening of powers of the Collective Security Agreement doesn’t allow us to speak about Russia’s objectivity regarding the Karabakh conflict any more, as unlike Armenia Azerbaijan is not included in the “Bishkek 6”.
Pichkhadze is concerned that after decisions taken in Bishkek, Russia may be involved into the military conflict of the two CIS states, supporting one of them. As regards the question of more close military cooperation between the GUUAM-states, Pichkhadze told Prime News that they do not plan to transform GUUAM into a military alliance yet, but Russia’s refusal of non-visa travel within CIS naturally urged GUUAM on closer integration .-0-