Expert: Muslimization of Javakhq ongoing
YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS: The Muslimization of Javakhq can be a
serious challenge for the Armenian side, expert Vahe Sargsyan said
speaking today to reporters. He said the Muslim element is dynamically
developing in Georgia: if before the soviet period it was spoken about
20-25 thousand Muslim groups, after the collapse of the USSR the
Muslim mass in Kwemo-Kartli has reached 350-400 thousand. Previously
there were four Azerbaijani villages in the region of Tsalka, near
Javakhq, now their number reaches 7.
During the recent year Georgia is implementing policy of reduction of
Muslim mass, but, the expert says, it does not mean that the Armenian
side must be calm. He said Javakhq region is of great interest not
only for Turkey and Azerbaijan but for many other countries of the
world. Sargsyan said that during the recent years the Turkish and
Azerbaijani parties are acting intensively: Turkey is making
investments in construction of hydro power plants and Azerbaijan in
road construction.
`The Javakhq Armenians are concerned with the return of meskheti
Turks. It means that among a number of factors another appears. The
Armenian side must be active,' the expert said.
The speaker said Armenia must make investments in Javakhq. He said it
is not only an economic issue, it is of moral-psychological
significance for the local Armenians.
Javakhqi expert Ghevond Mkrthcyan said Armenia's intensive activity is
of extreme importance for Armenia. `Javakhq is of strategic importance
for Armenia and everything possible must be done to keep it back from
Muslimization. The Azerbaijani side is undertaking noticeable steps
for reinforcing its presence in Javakhq,' he said.
From: A. Papazian
YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS: The Muslimization of Javakhq can be a
serious challenge for the Armenian side, expert Vahe Sargsyan said
speaking today to reporters. He said the Muslim element is dynamically
developing in Georgia: if before the soviet period it was spoken about
20-25 thousand Muslim groups, after the collapse of the USSR the
Muslim mass in Kwemo-Kartli has reached 350-400 thousand. Previously
there were four Azerbaijani villages in the region of Tsalka, near
Javakhq, now their number reaches 7.
During the recent year Georgia is implementing policy of reduction of
Muslim mass, but, the expert says, it does not mean that the Armenian
side must be calm. He said Javakhq region is of great interest not
only for Turkey and Azerbaijan but for many other countries of the
world. Sargsyan said that during the recent years the Turkish and
Azerbaijani parties are acting intensively: Turkey is making
investments in construction of hydro power plants and Azerbaijan in
road construction.
`The Javakhq Armenians are concerned with the return of meskheti
Turks. It means that among a number of factors another appears. The
Armenian side must be active,' the expert said.
The speaker said Armenia must make investments in Javakhq. He said it
is not only an economic issue, it is of moral-psychological
significance for the local Armenians.
Javakhqi expert Ghevond Mkrthcyan said Armenia's intensive activity is
of extreme importance for Armenia. `Javakhq is of strategic importance
for Armenia and everything possible must be done to keep it back from
Muslimization. The Azerbaijani side is undertaking noticeable steps
for reinforcing its presence in Javakhq,' he said.
From: A. Papazian