Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said that the rehabilitation of the road leading to Tsalka town in the southern part of Georgia will contribute to integration of Samtskhe-Javakheti region populated by Armenians into the public and economic system of the country.

The new road will allow reopening the region’s potential, Saakashvili told a meeting with ministers and services dealing with economy.

He noted that though the region is densely populated by Georgian Armenians, it has been completely separated from the rest Georgia. “It has been easier for people to establish contacts with neighboring Armenia and export products there, as a result of the bad road,” said Saakashvili.

The Georgian President believes that the development of Samtskhe-Javakheti’s road infrastructure is of political and economic importance for the country. According to him, the road will allow residents of the region to participate in the country’s life. They will join common processes in the country and facilitate strengthening of Georgia’s economic potential.

Saakashvili added that Armenians and Azerbaijanis jointly work on the road construction project in an atmosphere of complete mutual understanding and cooperation, Gruzia Online reported.