Armenians demand autonomy in Georgia
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has returned
from a visit to Yerevan with two medals and an honorary doctorate
degree.
Saakashvili, who visited the Armenian capital last Wednesday and Thursday, was conferred with the Order of Honor, the country`s top award, by his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sarkisian, while the honorary doctor degree and a gold medal were presented to him by the Yerevan State University. The Order noted Saakashvili`s contribution to strengthening historic relations between the two South Caucasus republics and deepening bilateral cooperation.
However, while in the Armenian capital the Georgian president faced public protests. A group of protesters took to the streets claiming various violations of the rights of the Armenian population in Georgia`s Javakhetia region. The protesters read aloud a statement listing their grievances to Saakashvili while he was meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian on Thursday. The document demanded the recognition of the legal status of the Armenian apostle church in Georgia and ending what was described as pressure exerted on Armenian schools in Georgia. The protesters also called for recognizing Armenian as the second state language in Javakhetia, establishing an Armenian-Georgian state university, taking steps toward granting the region autonomy in accord with the Constitution, ending what they see as attempts to purposefully alter the ethnic composition of the region, and refraining from posing stumbling blocks for the local population`s ties with Armenia.
However, Sarkisian earlier told a joint news conference that he was thankful to the Georgian government for its efforts in creating jobs in Javakhetia. With regard to his discussions with Saakashvili, Sarkisian spoke in cliches. "Overall, we discussed all problems facing the region, in particular, security issues. As it has always stated, Armenia said it will be possible to solve all outstanding problems strictly through dialogue and by increasing mutual confidence."
The Armenian leader noted that the quickest resolution of outstanding differences between Russia and Georgia, which fought a brief war in 2008, meets Armenia`s national interests. "Our relations with Russia are strategic, while those with Georgia - are many centuries-long."
Saakashvili, for his part, said Georgia is ready to open the Zemo Larisi border checkpoint, should the Russian side do so. Armenia considers the opening of the checkpoint as a strategic issue due to its being the closest overland link with Russia.
The earlier shutdown of the border checkpoint by Tbilisi, due to tensions with Moscow, has caused transportation problems for Armenia.
According to official reports, government representatives talked over transporting cargo to Armenia through Georgian territory and seeking the means to resolve customs-related problems. The Armenian economics minister also told reporters that discussions were held on building a new road to link the Georgian port of Poti with Armenia.
Armenia`s borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have remained shut for the past 15 years due to the Upper Garabagh conflict which erupted in the late 1980s due to Yerevan`s territorial claims. It is for this reason that Armenia considers as vital its overland links with Iran and Georgia.
Meanwhile, the Armenian media severely criticized the Georgian leader`s visit to the country. The Ayoch Ashkhar newspaper branded Georgian-Armenian relations as "hypocrisy." The publication said relations between the two nations are based upon an "artificial friendship."
Saakashvili, who visited the Armenian capital last Wednesday and Thursday, was conferred with the Order of Honor, the country`s top award, by his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sarkisian, while the honorary doctor degree and a gold medal were presented to him by the Yerevan State University. The Order noted Saakashvili`s contribution to strengthening historic relations between the two South Caucasus republics and deepening bilateral cooperation.
However, while in the Armenian capital the Georgian president faced public protests. A group of protesters took to the streets claiming various violations of the rights of the Armenian population in Georgia`s Javakhetia region. The protesters read aloud a statement listing their grievances to Saakashvili while he was meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian on Thursday. The document demanded the recognition of the legal status of the Armenian apostle church in Georgia and ending what was described as pressure exerted on Armenian schools in Georgia. The protesters also called for recognizing Armenian as the second state language in Javakhetia, establishing an Armenian-Georgian state university, taking steps toward granting the region autonomy in accord with the Constitution, ending what they see as attempts to purposefully alter the ethnic composition of the region, and refraining from posing stumbling blocks for the local population`s ties with Armenia.
However, Sarkisian earlier told a joint news conference that he was thankful to the Georgian government for its efforts in creating jobs in Javakhetia. With regard to his discussions with Saakashvili, Sarkisian spoke in cliches. "Overall, we discussed all problems facing the region, in particular, security issues. As it has always stated, Armenia said it will be possible to solve all outstanding problems strictly through dialogue and by increasing mutual confidence."
The Armenian leader noted that the quickest resolution of outstanding differences between Russia and Georgia, which fought a brief war in 2008, meets Armenia`s national interests. "Our relations with Russia are strategic, while those with Georgia - are many centuries-long."
Saakashvili, for his part, said Georgia is ready to open the Zemo Larisi border checkpoint, should the Russian side do so. Armenia considers the opening of the checkpoint as a strategic issue due to its being the closest overland link with Russia.
The earlier shutdown of the border checkpoint by Tbilisi, due to tensions with Moscow, has caused transportation problems for Armenia.
According to official reports, government representatives talked over transporting cargo to Armenia through Georgian territory and seeking the means to resolve customs-related problems. The Armenian economics minister also told reporters that discussions were held on building a new road to link the Georgian port of Poti with Armenia.
Armenia`s borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have remained shut for the past 15 years due to the Upper Garabagh conflict which erupted in the late 1980s due to Yerevan`s territorial claims. It is for this reason that Armenia considers as vital its overland links with Iran and Georgia.
Meanwhile, the Armenian media severely criticized the Georgian leader`s visit to the country. The Ayoch Ashkhar newspaper branded Georgian-Armenian relations as "hypocrisy." The publication said relations between the two nations are based upon an "artificial friendship."
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