Paata Davitaia: I do not think there is even the slightest risk of putting the Nagorno-Karabakh scenario in Javakhetia

- Mr. Davitaia, how would you comment  on the fact that the Armenian community of Georgia, residing in Javakhetia, sent an appeal to the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, asking to raise the issue of solving the dual citizenship before the Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili?

- I think that the formulation of the question is inappropriate for the constitution of Georgia does not provide for dual citizenship. So, I do not think that this kind of question would be raised in front of the Georgian leadership. It would be not serious. Furthermore, as our country's leadership does not interfere in the internal affairs of Armenia, the Armenian leadership will not interfere in the internal affairs of Georgia as well.

- Then how would you comment on the mere appearance of the statements from Georgian Armenians that contradict to the Constitution of Georgia?

- It is regrettable to note that such statements have been heard not for the first time. But they will remain just statements for there is the Constitution of Georgia, which can not be violated by anyone.

- Javakhetia Armenians, among other things, express a "growing concern about the worsening socio-political situation in the region of residence". We all remember that the same points were used by Karabakh separatists in the beginning of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Is there any risk of appearance of the "second Karabakh" in Javakhetia?

- To begin with, the socio-political situation in Javakhetia, despite the statements you are speaking of, is stable. In addition, of course, the separatist activities in Javakhetia have been recorded before, but now the situation is under control. For all these reasons, I do not think there is even the slightest risk of putting the Nagorno-Karabakh scenario in this region of Georgia.

- Is it possible to state that the actions of the separatist Armenian Javakheti are backed by official Yerevan, which, thus, is trying to exert pressure on Georgia?

- Of course, the secessionist sentiments do not appear by themselves and there must be forces which direct these sentiments. But I do not think that in this case we can speak only about Yerevan's support. I am more inclined to speak of the next attempt to put pressure on Georgia by Russia, which always differed with support to separatism in the whole area of the former USSR.

/Day.Az/