Meskhetian Turks expect to return to Georgia from 2012

PanARMENIAN.Net - One of leaders of Samshoblo (Motherland) society of Meskhetian Turks Shamsaddin Sarvarov said that the process of repatriation of Meskhetian Turks to Georgia may start early in 2012.

According to Sarvarov, the term for fulfillment of the commitment undertaken by Tbilisi before the Council of Europe concerning the repatriation of Meskhetian Turks to Georgia will expire this year, but it will be prolonged. “A special commission continues working on the matter. Another meeting will be held soon. Hopefully, we will return to our historical lands,” Georgian media quoted Sarvarov as saying.

Meskhetian Turks want to return to Samtskhe-Javakheti, from where they were allegedly deported during the World War II. The Georgian government, which promised not to inhabit the Armenian-populated region by Meskhetians, in reality, provides privileges to the immigrants.

A PanARMENIAN.Net reporter found out that Javakheti Armenians will protest against the return of Meskhetian Turks to Javakheti, while Kvemo Kartli region, which is basically populated by Azerbaijanis, will be “recommended” to them as a place of permanent residence.