GEORGIANS CONCERNED OVER ARMENIAN-TURKISH RAPPROCHEMENT

News.am
Oct 26 2009
Armenia

The Armenian-Turkish rapprochement should be discussed as a regional
process, as it may create problems in Javakhk (Georgian region densely
populated by Armenians), said Professor Vladimir Papava, expert at
the Georgian Center for Strategic and International Studies. "I do
not think that this rapprochement meets the region’s interests. After
this process Georgia will not have any arguments to present that
the return of Meskheti Turks will create a new ethnic problem in the
region. However, the Armenians residing in this territory do not want,
and are afraid of, their return," he said.

This January, the Law on return of forcibly displaced persons took
effect in Georgia. Specifically, the law provides for the return of
Meskheti Turks to Georgia. The law was adopted by pressure of the
Council of Europe.

Professor Papava believes that certain forces may provoke confrontation
in Javakhk if Armenia feels the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be
settled not in its favor.

According to him, Georgia is in a grave situation now, as the Javakhk
Armenians are the strongest opponents of the Meskheti Turks’ return to
the country. If, however, "full-scale" Armenian-Turkish rapprochement
takes place, the Javakhk Armenians will not oppose Meskheti Turks’
return. Professor Papava pointed out the possibility of a new ethnic
problem in the region.