Armenians in Georgia

Armenians in Georgia are ethnic Armenians living within the current Republic of Georgia. Armenians are the largest ethnic minority in Georgia at about 6% of the population. The Armenian community is mostly concentrated in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, which borders the Republic of Armenia to the south. Ethnic Armenians are the majority in the region, making up about 54% of the population [ [http://www.statistics.ge/main.php?pform=145&plang=1 2002 Georgia census results] ] , which they share with Georgians,Pontian Greeks and Ossetians.

Anti-Armenianism in Georgia

Some Armenians believe they are victims of a policy to shift the Samtskhe-Javakheti region’s demographic balance as a number of Georgian families were settled there.. Armenians are also underrepresented in the government (holding 5 seats in the 235-member Parliament, for example), leading to the perception of discrimination and mutual distrust [ [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ICG/a839b86ed70730cc9b32cbd9a898fc90.htm Reuters AlertNet - Georgia’s Armenian and Azeri Minorities ] ] . There were several protests, some of which turned violent after clashes with law enforcement agents.. The Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia also has a significant population of Armenians, where they make up roughly 20% of the population. [http://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/rnabkhazia.html 2003 Census statistics] ru icon] However, the de facto Abkhaz authorities have been accused by local Armenian NGOs of intentionally decreasing the number of Abkhazian-Armenians. [ [http://www.armradio.am/news/?id=4999&part=pol The authorities in Abkhazia intentionally decrease the number of Armenians] . Public Radio of Armenia. February 2, 2006.]

Integration into the Georgian society

One of the biggest problems of the Armenians in Georgia is the is the inability to use their language in public life. The government’s new language policies are a source of strong resentment and it is accused of abolishing minorities’ former rights to use Armenian or Russian and thus limiting access to jobs and education. [http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4517&l=1 Georgia’s Armenian and Azeri Minorities] , 22 November 2006 "(free registration needed to view the full report)"] President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan has urged ethnic Armenians to learn the Georgian language, which he said is essential for their integration into the Georgian society. [ [http://www.caucaz.com/home_eng/depeches.php?idp=1643 Armenia: Kocharian urges Armenians in Georgia to learn Georgian] . "Caucaz Europenews". May 1, 2007.]

Armenians in Samtskhe-Javakheti

The ethnic Armenians form the majority of the population in the region of Samtskhe-Javakheti (Javakhk in Armenian). The local Armenian United Javakhk Democratic Alliance has proposed a local autonomy for Javakheti within Georgia.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and South Caucasus natural gas pipeline which passed through the region, has met opposition from local Armenians, as well as the planned Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku railway as it isolates Armenia.

Architecture

Armenians left rich architectural imprint in Georgia, especially in Tbilisi, which was at a time a center of Armenian culture. On the main avenue in Tbilisi - Rustaveli Avenue, there is a building of a wealthy Armenian Melik-Azaryants.

ee also

*Javakheti
*Samtskhe-Javakheti
*Akhalkalaki
*United Javakhk Democratic Alliance
*Armenians in Abkhazia

References