BRUSSELS, April 2 (RIA Novosti) - NATO wants to discuss with Russia its plans for military bases in the former Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the military alliance's secretary general said on Thursday.
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said NATO intends to continue strengthening relations with Georgia within the framework of Georgia-NATO Commission.
Russia's Defense Ministry has said it plans to open one base in Gudauta, in the west of Abkhazia, and another in Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, which would be fully operational by the end of 2010.
Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states on August 26 last year after a five-day war with Georgia, which attacked South Ossetia to try to regain control of the region.
