Former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze views construction of highway connecting Armenia to Adjara as a demographic threat to Georgia, Georgia Online reported.

During a visit to Georgia last week, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan discussed the construction of the highway with his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili. They agreed to intensify the highway construction process. The highway will connect Armenia and Batumi via the Goderdzi pass. Saakashvili said that the new highway will further increase the flow of Armenian tourists to Georgia.

Shevardnadze, however, is concerned Adjara's demographic picture will be dramatically affected by the inflow of Armenians. “Just look at Abkhazia, where the number of Armenians exceeds Abkhazian population,” the ex-president said.