Armenian PM Urges Georgia To Improve Social And Economic Conditions

ARMENIAN PM URGES GEORGIA TO IMPROVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF JAVAKHETI

Armenpress
May 1 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 1, ARMENPRESS: In an interview posted on the official
website of his Republican party Armenian prime minister Andranik
Margarian said authorities of neighboring Georgia should exercise great
efforts to improve social and economic conditions in Samtskhe-Javakheti
region to prevent out-migration of its ethnic Armenian population.

According to Margarian, hard social conditions are typical of all
Georgia. He said Armenia has repeatedly expressed its willingness to
join Georgian authorities in improving the hard conditions experienced
by Armenians in Javakheti, but he said the Georgian side did nothing
so far, except giving promises.

Margarian said though the government of Georgia has earmarked a
substantial portion of extra aid it has received from the USA’s
Millennium Challenges Account for repair of roads in Javakheti, it
is not enough. He said new economic infrastructures must be built
in the region to give people jobs. According to him, creation of new
jobs becomes especially vital because of the pullout of the Russian
military base from the region that gives jobs to many locals.