March 20, 2006 - 17:45 AMT
Revaz Gachechiladze: Nationality Column Absent in Georgian Passports
All the problems in Javakhetia are social and economic. They have no political ground, Georgian Ambassador to Armenia Revaz Gachechiladze told journalist today. In his words, Georgia sets no difference between the citizens. "If a Georgian language teacher in Akhalkalaki gets a higher salary than his Armenian colleague, it's because he has to leave Tbilisi and rent a flat. Human rights are not infringed over nationality in Georgia. Nationality column is absent in Georgian passports," he said. The Georgian diplomat also noted that work places in Javakhetia as well as in other regions cannot be created by an order from "above". "Armenians are against the building of the Kars-Akhalkalaki railway. Nevertheless this projects will provide extra work places in various fields including construction works and repair of stocks," Gachechiladze noted.

Revaz Gachechiladze also stressed that presently Georgia faces another problem - honoring the commitment to the CoE on the return of Meskhetian Muslims (Turks-Meskhetians) for the permanent residence. We are facing a serious demographic problem but we should solve it. Meskhetians should be admitted by Georgia till 2012," he said.

Among the commitments the Georgian Ambassador noted the adoption of the law "On Religion. "According to the Concordat signed by the Georgian government and the Georgia Orthodox Church, all the regional issues are solved by the Church. However with the adoption of the law the state of other regional confessions in Georgia will not change," the Ambassador said.