Shevardnadze views Armenia-Adjara highway construction as threatDecember 5, 2011 - 15:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - 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. 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 | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |