October 26, 2009 - 18:25 AMT
Armenian-Turkish normalization not to be linked to Georgia
Armenian-Turkish reconciliation has no bearing on Georgia, Georgian political scientist Paata Zakareishvili said. According to him, the process cannot negatively affect either Georgia or the entire region. "Normalization of Armenian-Turkish ties marks a new era in region, both in economic and political terms," Georgian expert finds.

Commenting upon ex-Economy Minister Vladimir Papava's recent statement on Turkish-Meskhets' possible return to territories of Javahk, he noted that, "Turkish Meskhets' return will not in any way affect Georgian regions. The process started long ago, and no one has so far suffered from that."

Georgia's former Economy Minister Vladimir Papava, currently a senior employee in Strategic and International Research Center. told Trend News that Armenian-Turkish process should be viewed as regional issue as it may entail problems in Samtskhe-Javakheti. He also noted that after Armenian-Turkish rapprochement Georgia will have no argument that Turkish-Meskhets' return will create ethnic problems in region, causing fears among Armenian population.