Moscow tightens grip on Abkhazia

Article reports that Russia signed a package of military and economic deals with Abkhazia on the 17 February 2010 that will tighten Moscow’s grip on Georgia’s breakaway region.

Russia was expected to sign a simialr deal to build a military base in South Ossetia, Georgia’s other breakaway region, in March 2010.

Eka Tkeshelashvili, the head of Georgia’s Security Council, said the agreement was a 'dangerous signal that Russia was very seriously planning to bolster its military presence in Georgia and the Black Sea region'.

ITAR-TASS, 17.2.10: Russia, Abkhazia drafting another 22 agreements http://www.itar-tass.com/en/

ESO: Background information: Conflict history: Georgia http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-georgia-2/

EurActiv, 18.2.10: Russia to build military base in occupied Georgia http://www.euractiv.com/en/russia-build-military-base-occupied-georgia-territory-news-260175

Deutsche Welle, 18.2.10: Russia under fire over deal to build base in Georgian rebel region http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5259634,00.html

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