At present, out of 27 thousand Armenians in Ajaria only 10 000 are left, with 8 000 residing in Batumi. The reason behind the dwindling number of Armenians is growing unemployment and absence of future, according to the head of Ajaria’s Armenian community Artur Hovhannesyan.

“Armenian community is on the verge of extinction, without schools, textbooks or proper study conditions. All of our teachers have retired; unless RA authorities offer some help, Armenian community will disappear,” Artur Hovhannesyan emphasized.

“Big words of Armenia-Georgia friendship deceive no one here, Armenians being poorly treated in Georgia. Still, we will not leave; those who stay will fight for their Armenian identity against all odds,” Artur Hovhannesyan pointed out.