Georgian Prime Minister's visit expected to be fruitful:specialist on Georgian studies

YEREVAN, JANAUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili's visit is of cognitive nature. The issues scheduled to be envisaged refer to economic, political, cultural and other fields. Armenpress had an interview with specialist on Georgian studies Alik Eroyants.

''Acquaintances with high ranking officials are scheduled in the frame of the visit. In general Ivanishvili will have an opportunity to get acquainted with Armenian-Georgian relations in a more tangible format , clarify for himself future stances and plans'' specialist on Georgian studies stated. Eroyants expects Georgian Prime Minister visit to be positive aimed at settling issues refer to Georgian Armenians. The specialist noted in the course of pre-election campaign '' Georgian Dream'' coalition has in particular referred to the problems regarding national minorities, problems Armenians are facing inclusive.

For instance they have pledged to increase the number of Armenian classes, besides came forth with an intention to establish Armenian- Georgian University. According to Eroyants the positive point is the former authorities never gave pledges, instead they reduced the number of Armenian classes, violated elementary human rights.

The delegation headed by Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will arrive in Armenia on January 17. Georgian Executive Body is set to have meetings with President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, as well as with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economy, Energy and Natural Resources. In the frame of his Yerevan visit Bidzina Ivanishvili will also visit Tsitsernakaberd, pay tribute to the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide, later will attend the Matenadaran.

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and Georgia were established on July 17 1992. The Republic of Armenia and Georgia have signed nearly 80 international treaties, agreements, memoranda and protocols which encompass almost all aspect of bilateral relations, including. Over 66 mutual visits have been paid between Armenia and Georgia since 1993 at the level of the heads of Foreign Ministers, Prime Ministers and Presidents.