GLOBAL VISA OBLIGATION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND GEORGIEN








MOSCOW, 1 March.  (RIA "Nowosti" rIA-"Nowosti"-Korrespondent).  On 1
March between Russia and Georgien global visa obligation was
introduced.

Russia explained already in previous August that it stops its
participation in the Bischkek agreement over the visa-free journeys of
the citizens of the GUS member states.  Moscow informed Tbilissi about
the fact that it introduces the visa obligation for Georgien in view
of the missing bilateral Russian-Georgian agreement and in conformity
with its legislation on 5 December 2000.

Later the pages agreed to determine by 1 March favorable conditions
for the inhabitants of the areas close to the border as well as
visa-free journeys for Russian military, which serve Georgiens in the
area, and their family members by 1 March.  According to official
specification about 200,000 Georgian citizens in Russia, who dispatch
billion USD in the year from Russia after Georgien to 0.5, live.  That
is practically the 3fache in the comparison to the year household
Georgiens.

On the taking place negotiations Russian-Georgian for the moment "
certain progress was obtained inbezug on the re-creation of the
visa-free rules ", although " one must discuss each head of
negotiation for a long time ".  This became the RIA " Nowosti " from
the diplomatic sources in Moscow admits.

The visa obligation should not the relations between Russia and
Georgien worsen or the contacts between the citizens of the two
countries somehow load, was reported opposite the RIA " Nowosti " in
the State Department of Russia.  For Moscow is a forced measure, which
explains itself by the necessity to improve the protection of the
Russian interests and security at the south boundary.  In particular
in connection with the events, which unfolded starting from center
previous yearly.

With the beginning of the anti-terror enterprise in Chechnya it
clarified itself that over the southern boundary numerous persons
arrive, in order to take part in the fighting.  It concerns here not
only around Tschetschenen, but also foreign mercenaries.  Under these
circumstances Russia had to take additional measures, in order to
protect the boundary according to the developed situation.

On the other hand the Russian page stressed that it is not interested
to load handling between the peoples of our countries artificially in
the State Department Russia was several times stressed.  Russia
respected still the sovereignty and territorial integrity Georgiens
and steps for development of the relations of the good neighbourhood
and the mutual advantage, with which the interests of the other one
are considered.