Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr E. Huseynov / A train with ammunition and military equipment left from the Russian 12th military base located in the Georgian City of Batumi on 19 July. The train will go via Azerbaijan to Russia. This is the 10th train with military equipment withdrawn from Georgia to Russia since May.
The train includes 34 open goods trucks, a carriage loaded with 19 communication armaments. The total weight of the load makes up 706 tons, according to the Azerbaijani Embassy in Georgia. The next consignment will be withdrawn on 16 July.
The agreement between Azerbaijan and Russia on transportation of the property via Azerbaijan was signed last summer at inter-governmental level. By the end of August, 14 trains laden with property and equipment will be withdrawn from Georgia. Most of the cargo will be delivered to Russia. Five trains will go to Armenia to the 102nd Russian base in Gumri. Four weeks ago Russia withdrew its 62nd base located in Akhalkalaki, Georgia. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, in compliance with the agreement between Russia and Georgia, the 62nd Russian military base located in the city of Akhalkalaki is to be withdrawn by the end of 2007 and the second and the last 12th Russian military base located in the city of Batumi is to be withdrawn within 2008.
In July the Russian Government appealed to Azerbaijan for assistance to transport additional train with ammunition and military equipment the Russian military located in Georgia. Currently talks are being held at Governmental level with regards to two additional trains, according to the Azerbaijani Embassy in Georgia.