No Plans for University in Akhalkalaki ? Minister Says

Alexander Lomaia, the education minister, has denied the government planned to open an Armenian-language university in Akhalkalaki in the southern Georgian region of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

?We believe that our education system?s capacity provides enough opportunities to let our citizens of Armenian ethnicity, living in Akhalkalaki or Ninotsminda, to receive education in Georgia in the Georgian-language universities,? Lomaia told reporters on August 22.

In the past, the Armenian side has pushed for the opening of Armenian university in Akhalkalaki. Recently the Georgian media reported that the issue would be discussed during the upcoming visit of education minister Alexander Lomaia to Yerevan. Lomaia said he planned the visit, but added this visit had nothing to do with the university issue.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli told a government session on August 22 that the authorities had ?an ambitious plan? to overhaul secondary schools throughout Georgia. Minister Lomaia said the reconstruction of 400 schools was planned.

?I want to request local governors in the regions to pay special attention to this project and provide assistance,? PM Nogaideli said.

President Saakashvili said on August 10 he did not want confrontation with Russia and was ready for a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)