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'Javakheti' (Georgian: , ''Javakheti''; , ''Javakhk'') is a historical region of Georgia in the southeastern part of the country's Samtskhe-Javakheti province. Armenians form the ethnic majority in the region.^[1]
Armenians are the third largest ethnic minority in Georgia (about 267,000 in all Georgia). Armenians number 113 347 or 54.4% of the population, Georgians 89 995 or 43%, small communities of Russians, Ossetians, Greeks, and Ukrainians account for the remainder.^[1] A significant part of the Armenian population depends on the employment in the Russian 62nd military bases in Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda districts, and the announced 2008 Russian withdrawal aggravates the socio-economic tensions in the region. More than half of the Armenian population regularly makes seasonal trips to Russia for work. Principal economic activities in this region are subsistence agriculture and livestock.
An expected improvement is the planned construction of the highway (financed by the US Millennium Challenge Account) to link the region with the rest of Georgia. Also, a railroad is planned to run from Kars, Turkey to Baku, Azerbaijan via the area, but the Armenian population of Javakhk are opposed to this rail link because it excludes and isolates Armenia. There is already another railroad linking Armenia, Georgia and Turkey, which is the Kars-Gyumri-Akhalkalaki railroad line. The existing line is in working condition and could be operational within weeks, but due to Turkish blockade of Armenia since 1993 the railroad is not operational. Most of the countries including European Union and United States have said they will not assist in promoting or developing the proposed Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad.
Armenians are underrepresented in all spheres of public life, especially government, and a lack of dialogue between them and Tbilisi adds to perceptions of discrimination and alienation.^[3] There have been demonstrations, alleged police brutality and killings in this region during the past two years.^[4] Many Armenians claim they are treated as second-class citizens. The local Armenian civic organization, United Javakhk Democratic Alliance calls for local autonomy, comparable with the one promised to Abkhazians and Ossetians.

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See also

References

See also

★ Armenian diaspora

★ Armenians in Georgia

★ Greater Armenia (political concept)

References

1. http://www.statistics.ge/main.php?pform=145&plang=1
2. http://www.statistics.ge/main.php?pform=145&plang=1
3. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ICG/a839b86ed70730cc9b32cbd9a898fc90.htm
4. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ICG/a839b86ed70730cc9b32cbd9a898fc90.htm