Javakhk Armenians will possibly defend their rights via constitutional referendum
Georgian authorities should acknowledge that neglecting the problems of Samtkhe Javakheti is not the best solution, Javakhk Expatriates' Community head, RA NA member Shirak Torosyan told a news conference in Yerevan today.
"There are, of course, social and economic problems in the region, but the Armenian population is more worried about the national discrimination, overtly demonstrated by authorities. Tbilisi's wish to overlook this and focus only on social and economic issues, will only intensify the crisis," said Shirak Torosyan.
He reminded that Millennium Challenge Corporation provided Georgia with a number of subsidies for development of construction, infrastructure and communications in the region, yet the process keeps getting delayed and the state of Akhalkhalaki-Akhaltsikhe-Ninotsminda-Tsalka roads leaves much to be desired.
"Georgia lacks political will to resolve the problem. Yerevan keeps initiating discussions on the issues troubling Javakheti Armenians, yet gets no response from the Georgian part," Shirak Torosyan said.
"I understand Armenians who do not wish to increase tensions. Tbilisi realizes its geopolitical significance for our republic, but we can't allow further abuse. If no solution is found, Armenians will possibly defend their rights via constitutional referendum in Javakhk," he resumed.
"There are, of course, social and economic problems in the region, but the Armenian population is more worried about the national discrimination, overtly demonstrated by authorities. Tbilisi's wish to overlook this and focus only on social and economic issues, will only intensify the crisis," said Shirak Torosyan.
He reminded that Millennium Challenge Corporation provided Georgia with a number of subsidies for development of construction, infrastructure and communications in the region, yet the process keeps getting delayed and the state of Akhalkhalaki-Akhaltsikhe-Ninotsminda-Tsalka roads leaves much to be desired.
"Georgia lacks political will to resolve the problem. Yerevan keeps initiating discussions on the issues troubling Javakheti Armenians, yet gets no response from the Georgian part," Shirak Torosyan said.
"I understand Armenians who do not wish to increase tensions. Tbilisi realizes its geopolitical significance for our republic, but we can't allow further abuse. If no solution is found, Armenians will possibly defend their rights via constitutional referendum in Javakhk," he resumed.
