Kars Treaty on protecting Ajaria expired long ago – ambassador

Interfax News Agency
16.03.2004

Moscow. (Interfax, 15.03.2004) – Ajaria cannot count on protection from
Turkey under the Treaty of Kars, Georgian Ambassador to Russia
Konstantin Kemularia said at a Monday press conference at the Interfax
main office.

“It is senseless to make any comments on the treaty. Its validity
expired long ago. Things are completely different nowadays.
International relations are based on the realities of the 21st century.
Relations between Russia and Turkey, Georgia and Turkey, Georgia and
Russia have changed,” he said.

“Those who want to reanimate the past and pin hopes on problems in
international relations between our ancestors stand no chance,”
Kemularia said.

“Russia simply must protect Ajaria,” Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze told
Interfax earlier. “There is the Treaty of Kars, which stipulates that
Turkey will protect the Ajarian autonomous republic. There is also the
Moscow Treaty, which entails the same commitments. Russia must [protect
Ajaria] under those treaties,” Abashidze said.