Georgian and Armenian defense minister in Yerevan Monday

TBILISI—Georgia’s parliament Tuesday unanimously approved a government proposal to dissolve a military transit agreement with Russia, which allowed the latter to deliver cargo to its base in Gyumri through land and via Georgia’s airspace, reported the Civil Georgia news agency.

The decision comes a day after Georgian and Armenian defense ministers hailed strong relations after meeting in Yerevan.

The agreement on transit of military personnel and cargo, giving Russia access to its 102nd military base in Gyumri, was signed in March, 2006 in connection with another agreement that spelled out Russia’s military pullout from bases in Batumi and Akhalkalak. Both agreements were ratified by the Georgian Parliament on April 13, 2006.

“After Russia’s aggression against Georgia, naturally, it was deemed appropriate by the relevant agencies to annul the agreement following expiration of its five-year term,” Nino Kalandadze, the Georgian deputy foreign minister, told lawmakers Tuesday.

Kalanadze explained that Russia had not asked for transit permission since July, 2008, one month before that year’s Georgia-Russia war.

“I think annulment of this agreement does not really require additional explanations, because this agreement contradicts our national interests,” said Irakli Kavtaradze, a lawmaker from the ruling party, who is a deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee for foreign affairs.

Georgian Defense Minister, Bacho Akhalaia was in Yerevan Monday meeting with his Armenian counterpart, Seyran Ohanian.

Speaking at a joint news conference, Akhalaia said relations between the two countries were of special importance and there was nothing that could derail those close ties.

According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, the main topics of discussion during the visit were exchange of experience in defense and cooperation in military education. According to Georgia’s defense ministry, Akhalaia offered Armenia to train soldiers at the Georgian army mountain training site in Sachkhere.