Georgia fears Turkey can seize AdjaraJune 23, 2012 - 18:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgia issued passports to 25 thous. Turks residing in Adjara for the past few years. Earlier Tbilisi expressed concerns that Turks can make up the majority of the population and seize the republic, Georgian newspaper reports. As Georgian opposition MP Jondi Bagaturia noted, 25 thous. Turks gained Georgian citizenship for the past 2 years. “These radical forces may come to power in Turkey, making recurrence of the scenario in Abkhazia and South Ossetia possible. This was a quite a deliberate step by the current authorities. Thus, the 25 thous. Turks with dual citizenship are authorized to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections due in October” Mr. Bagaturia said. The MP further said that Turkish radical forces deem Adjara Turkish territory that Georgia ceased a century ago. For this reason, he voiced intention to stage protest in Adjara on June 30, asking the whole opposition to back the initiative. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |