TBILISI. – Former Georgian President Eduard Shevarnadze considers construction of a highway connecting Armenia and Adjaria is a direct threat. The project may cause demographic problems for Georgia, he told Asaval-Dasavali newspaper, Georgia Online reports.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan discussed the construction project with his Georgian counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili during his official visit to Tbilisi last week. The road will connect Armenia with Batumi. As a result, more Armenian tourists will come to Georgia.

However, former President is afraid that Adjaria’s demographic situation will change because of domination of the Armenians. “Look at Abkhazia, there are more Armenians than Abkhazians,” he said.  

Shevarnadze does not rule out the possibility that Georgian authorities may yield and grant some churches which Georgian patriarchate considers disputable to Armenians.