AN ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN PROJECT
Naira Hayrumyan
Lragir.am
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics23054.html
23/08/2011
The foreign ministers of Armenia and Georgia discussed in Austria
possible mutual visits of their presidents. Nothing is reported about
the timeframe but this information came against the background of
very interesting events.
The famous Georgian film director, Robert Sturua, made a statement
about the Armenian origin of the president of Georgia. Today, the
ex-president of Georgia, Shevardnadze, refuted rumors he had handed
power to Saakashvili under the pressure of the Armenian lobby. This
only kindled rumors that Saakashvili carries out a pro-Armenian policy.
In the meantime, Saakashvili is considered to be Azerbaijan's best
friend. Apparently, this is the reason why Baku did not take up the
rumors about his Armenian origin. Either Baku authorities knew about
it, or they don't want to believe their best friend is Armenian.
Meanwhile, Baku has "blacklisted" the French parliamentarians who
have recently visited Karabakh.
What will the Armenian and Georgian presidents speak? Change of
priorities can be observed in the relations of the two countries. The
Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia was granted a legal status. Of
course, at the last moment the Armenian Apostolic Church was deprived
of the right to run Armenian churches but Armenia got the right to
deprive Georgia of rights to six Chalcedonic churches in Armenia.
Recently, Georgia and Armenia have signed a law on mutual protection
of investments. At first glance, this law is addressed to protection
of interests of the Armenian capital which is intensively flowing to
Georgia. On the other hand, it could be a preparation to the appearance
of Georgian investments in Armenia, such as in road construction.
The joint Armenian-Georgian TV program on the Public TV of Armenia
is also interesting. Although it is just an entertainment project,
it will help crush the stereotyped hostile image of Georgians, which
only leads to violation of the rights of Armenians in Javakheti.
The border crossing procedures between Armenia and Georgia have
been simplified but we still have a long time to go for economic
integration discussed during the last visit of Mikhail Saakashvili to
Armenia. And the problem is neither in Georgia, nor in Armenia. The
drivers crossing the Armenian-Georgian border complained that in
Armenia they are forced to pay insurance, different fees.
I remember that during the recent visit to Armenia, Mikheil Saakashvili
said: "We are a small country, can we surprise the world otherwise
but our intelligence?" "Long live safe Armenia, long live safe
Georgia!" continued Serge Sargsyan. And by now the difference of
priorities persists.
Naira Hayrumyan
Lragir.am
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics23054.html
23/08/2011
The foreign ministers of Armenia and Georgia discussed in Austria
possible mutual visits of their presidents. Nothing is reported about
the timeframe but this information came against the background of
very interesting events.
The famous Georgian film director, Robert Sturua, made a statement
about the Armenian origin of the president of Georgia. Today, the
ex-president of Georgia, Shevardnadze, refuted rumors he had handed
power to Saakashvili under the pressure of the Armenian lobby. This
only kindled rumors that Saakashvili carries out a pro-Armenian policy.
In the meantime, Saakashvili is considered to be Azerbaijan's best
friend. Apparently, this is the reason why Baku did not take up the
rumors about his Armenian origin. Either Baku authorities knew about
it, or they don't want to believe their best friend is Armenian.
Meanwhile, Baku has "blacklisted" the French parliamentarians who
have recently visited Karabakh.
What will the Armenian and Georgian presidents speak? Change of
priorities can be observed in the relations of the two countries. The
Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia was granted a legal status. Of
course, at the last moment the Armenian Apostolic Church was deprived
of the right to run Armenian churches but Armenia got the right to
deprive Georgia of rights to six Chalcedonic churches in Armenia.
Recently, Georgia and Armenia have signed a law on mutual protection
of investments. At first glance, this law is addressed to protection
of interests of the Armenian capital which is intensively flowing to
Georgia. On the other hand, it could be a preparation to the appearance
of Georgian investments in Armenia, such as in road construction.
The joint Armenian-Georgian TV program on the Public TV of Armenia
is also interesting. Although it is just an entertainment project,
it will help crush the stereotyped hostile image of Georgians, which
only leads to violation of the rights of Armenians in Javakheti.
The border crossing procedures between Armenia and Georgia have
been simplified but we still have a long time to go for economic
integration discussed during the last visit of Mikhail Saakashvili to
Armenia. And the problem is neither in Georgia, nor in Armenia. The
drivers crossing the Armenian-Georgian border complained that in
Armenia they are forced to pay insurance, different fees.
I remember that during the recent visit to Armenia, Mikheil Saakashvili
said: "We are a small country, can we surprise the world otherwise
but our intelligence?" "Long live safe Armenia, long live safe
Georgia!" continued Serge Sargsyan. And by now the difference of
priorities persists.