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Russia and Abkhazia, the separatist republic of Georgia, spent Wednesday an accord allowing Moscow to deploy a permanent military base in the region.

The agreement, which shall remain valid for a period of 49 years at least, was signed by officials of the respective defense in the presence of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh.

“These documents are fully consistent with our vision on cooperation with Abkhazia and our international obligations,” Medvedev said at a press conference after his meeting with Mr Bagapsh the Kremlin.

“The essential idea is that these agreements constitute a foundation for the development of Abkhazia as an independent state,” he said, quoted by Russian news agencies.

Russia has deployed 1 700 troops in Abkhazia with headquarters in Gudat, former Soviet military base situated on the coast of the Black Sea.

Russia and Georgia objected during a five-day war in August 2008, Georgia has attacked South Ossetia, another Georgian rebel region, to regain control of the insurgent region bordering Russia . Moscow was in response sent his troops to expel Georgian forces in the region.

Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia August 26, 2008, two weeks after the end of this conflict.

Georgia and the West have condemned plans by Russia to establish a military presence in Abkhazia, which they see as a territory under the sovereignty of the Georgian state.