“Armenia should not show to neighboring countries, as if its national problems are of secondary importance in its foreign-policy relations”, declared Candidate of Historical Science, Noravank Research center representative Tamara Vardanyan to NEWS.am correspondent.

Vardanyan believes that in its relations with Georgia, Armenia must emphasize the priority of its national interests. In this case, it includes the protection of rights of the Armenians residing in Georgia. “On the one hand Georgia might meet us halfway in some matters, on the other — it might intensify the persecutions toward Javakhk Armenians – for instance, Shirak Torosyan was prohibited from crossing the border. They do not allow bringing books of church history to Javakhk, and so on”, she added.

The Armenian side should realize what is on scale, she considers, and raise these issues. According to her, the economic issues should not outweigh the national interests. “Armenia should present all the issues in one package, considering the protection of the Javakhk Armenians’ rights. Economic relations are definitely of vital importance, and the re-opening of the Upper Lars checkpoint is extremely beneficial for Armenia. However, we should not show our neighbors that national issues are of secondary importance to us”, Vardanyan noted.

At that she emphasized, that Armenian-Georgian relations should not depend on complicated relations between Georgia and Russia. “If we pursue the mediation policy, we will definitely suffer. Armenian-Georgian relations should develop in a separate course, irrespective of Russia’s position”, she said.

Recalling, that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili arrived for a two-day official visit to Armenia on June 24, 2009 at the invitation of RA President Serzh Sargsyan. As Foreign Ministries of both countries stated earlier, among other issues, the sides will discuss the possibility of re-opening the Upper Lars checkpoint at the Russian-Georgian border, that will enable cargo transportation from Russia to Armenia.

Several days before the Georgian President’s visit to Armenia, a well-known Armenian public and political figure Shirak Torosyan arriving to Georgia at the invitation of Friedrich Naumann Foundation with the Armenian delegation was prohibited to cross the state border. Later he stated about the intention of establishing a public union in cooperation with a number of public and political organizations for protection of Javakhk Armenians’ rights.