Should the Armenian authorities wish, they can resolve the Javakhk Armenians’ problems, which arose as far back as 1990s, under President Zviad Gamsakhurdiya, Artak Gabrielyan, Chairman of the A-Info union, told journalists April 1.

According to him, the policy of ousting Armenians from Javakhk launched under President Gamsakhurdiya was intensified under President Mikheil Saakashvili. Evidence thereof is not only the Armenian schools’ deplorable state and Armenian Church being unrecognized, but also the Javakhk Armenians’ hard socio-economic conditions.

He urges the Armenian authorities to take advantage of their friendly relations with Georgia to resolve the Javakhk Armenians’ problems. Also, they should change their indifferent attitude to this Georgian region densely populated by Armenians. Gabrielyan pointed pout that the Armenian authorities are dealing with some problems. Global problems remain unresolved, however.

“Javakhk is an instrument today, but it must become a factor for strengthening Armenian-Georgian friendly ties,” Gabrielyan said.

Valery Arabyan, Chairman of the Lernashkharh union, who attended the press conference, pointed out that the Armenian authorities are now prioritizing the country’s agricultural sector, whereas Javakhk’s agricultural sector needs investments as well. “Armenia can easily invest in Javakhk’s agriculture,” Arabyan said.

Council members, Samtskhe Javakhk NGO, repeatedly discussed the issue with Armenian officials, without any result, however.