Visiting Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan met with Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze on June 2 and discussed issues related with the situation in Samtskhe-Javakheti region, which is predominately populated by ethnic Armenians and resumption of railway link between Georgia and Russia via breakaway Abkhazia.
Andranik Margaryan is visiting Georgia to participate in the summit of heads of governments of Commonwealth of Independent States, which is scheduled in Tbilisi on June 3.
After the talks Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze told reporters that the Georgian authorities plan to launch comprehensive social programs in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region in order to ease those problems which might occur in the process of withdrawal of Russian military base stations there in the town of Akhalkalaki. Part of the locals in Akhalkalaki is employed at this military base.
Nino Burjanadze emphasized that like in other parts of Georgia, social situation is also difficult in Javakheti.
?The social-economic situation is very difficult there, however not very different from other regions of Georgia. We intend to implement serious programs in Samtskhe-Javakheti,? Nino Burjanadze said on June 2.
She said that ?many persons and forces? want to see worsening bilateral ties between Armenia and Georgia.
?Activities of these forces is pure provocation and we will spare no afforest to avoid these kinds of provocations,? Burjanadze said without further elaboration.
In respect of resumption of railway link via Abkhazia, Burjanadze reiterated Georgia?s position, that Tbilisi wants this process to occur in parallel to return of Georgian internally displaced persons back to Abkhazia.
?The Armenian side accepts this stance with understanding,? she said.
Restoration of railway via Abkhazia is of vital importance for Armenia, which can get a rail access to its strategic partner ? Russia if Georgia agrees to rehabilitate railway connection through Abkhazia.
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