Interfax, Russia
Sept 4 2009
GEORGIA READY TO DISCUSS STATUS OF ARMENIAN LANGUAGE IN GEORGIA
Georgia is ready to discuss the issue of giving the Armenian language
regional status in the country, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol
Vashadze told Interfax during a working visit to Yerevan on Friday.
"The sides have respect [for each other] and pay attention to all
ideas voiced in Armenia and Georgia. The Armenian president has more
than once said the language [Armenian] should be given regional status
and said it would be useful to discuss this issue. We are ready to
discuss any ideas with our Armenian colleagues," Vashadze said,
commenting on Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s statement on the
possibility of the Armenian language being given regional status in
Georgia.
"I want to emphasize: regardless of what status the Armenian language
will have in Georgia, Georgians of Armenian descent enjoy protection
and have the same rights as other peoples represented in Georgia. To
us they are an integral part of our history, our culture," Vashadze
said.
Sargsyan said at the annual meeting with officials from the Armenian
Foreign Ministry’s central administration held in Yerevan earlier,
that "the recognition of the Armenian language as a regional language
in Georgia, the registration of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the
preservation of Armenian monuments will only strengthen Armenian-
Georgian friendship and mutual trust."
"We should be sensitive, but at the same time consistent and
principled in all these issues," Sargsyan said.