Russia reiterates concerns over Georgia’s arming, US missile plans

Georgia’s efforts to increase its capabilities could lead to "graver results than in August" when Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in the separatist Georgian region of South Ossetia, Serdyukov told a joint press conference with Turkey’s defense minister, Vecdi Gonul, in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

 

U.S. plans to use sites in Poland and Czech Republic for a missile defense system in Europe is forcing Russia to take similar steps on NATO’s borders, Serdyukov was quoted by AP as saying.

 

The Russian minister also said Turkey's proposal for the establishment of a Caucasian Cooperation and Stability Platform was a very important initiative.

 

"We appreciate this effort. We also join in Turkey's commitment to Georgia's territorial integrity," the Anatolian Agency quoted him as saying.Â