Prior to every official visit to Armenia, Georgia closes Upper Lars checkpoint to make it the key topic in talks with the Armenian authorities and distract attention from other problems, the head of Javakhk expatriates’ community, Armenian parliament member Shirak Torosyan stated.

“Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze’s statement that there’s no such region as Javakhk on the map of Georgia is a reflection of the country’s policy on eviction of Armenians from the region,” he told a news conference on October 7.

“Presently, Georgia implements various projects, including construction of a complex with towers in Ninotsminda. Authorities say they build an orphanage, but its can hardly be so, the building being too big for the purpose. A similar construction is under way in Poka village, in the bank of Parvana village,” he said, urging Armenia to toughen its policy towards Georgia.