14:30 GMT, July 4, 2008 The OSCE Mission and the Georgian Defence Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding today on implementing a three-year demilitarization plan to dismantle weapons and help in the environmental recovery of former and current military bases in the country.

The memorandum was signed at the headquarters of the Defence Ministry in Tbilisi by the First Deputy Defence Minister, Batu Kutelia, and Ambassador Terhi Hakala, the Head of the OSCE Mission.

"The OSCE Mission and the Ministry of Defence of Georgia are co-operating in this important area, and this memorandum of understanding places this co-operation on a clear and firm foundation," said Ambassador Hakala.

"The agreement will support the OSCE to provide assistance to the Ministry of Defence by enhancing their capacity in the area of demilitarization and creating local capacity for the future disposal of conventional munitions."