Georgia won't allow compact settlement of Meskhetian Turks in Samtskhe-Javakhk-TsalkaDecember 20, 2008 - 14:41 AMT 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |