Georgia won't allow compact settlement of Meskhetian Turks in Samtskhe-Javakhk-Tsalka

PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgia won't allow compact settlement of Meskhetian Turks in Samtskhe-Javakhk-Tsalka to avoid tensions in the Armenian-Georgian relations and threats to the territorial integrity of the country, a Georgian expert said.



"Georgia takes into consideration its neighbors' concerns and acts in accord with its territorial interests," Ramaz Sakvarelidze said.



For his part, Turkish expert Ufguk Tavkul remarked that the Georgian authorities, fearing for the country's territorial integrity, will by all means prevent return of Meskhetian Turks. "Given the demographic growth of the repatriates may, they could claim autonomy," he said, Trend Azeri news agency reports.



A recent statement issued by Mitq analytical center says that the number of Meskhetian Turks in the region has increased greatly with the help of Azerbaijan and Turkey.



"The figure has reached 500 thousand. This makes their presence in the Armenian-inhabited region impossible.



Mass settlements of Turks will cause clashes and escalation of tensions in the Caucasus.



We call on the Georgian authorities to understand that Armenia's blockade any anti-Armenian program imposed by Azerbaijan and Turkey will kill Georgia and lead to unpredictable consequences," says the statement.