Akhaltskha.Net: Mr. Kopadze, you were mayor of Akhaltsikhe in the 1990s. Why did you decide to run in these elections?
Giorgi Kopadze: I was born in Akhaltsikhe, and I am aware of the citizens’ needs and problems. I know the problems facing the citizens on all streets and in all districts and will try to solve those problems with my team. It’s important for me to turn Akhaltsikhe into a modern city. My main objective is to make my city beautiful and create a comfortable environment for all citizens, including Georgians and Armenians.
Akhaltskha.Net: You have meetings with citizens on a daily basis. What are their main problems of concern?
G. K.: They have many problems, but the major problem is the lack of jobs, drinking water and sewerages. There is also a lack of playgrounds for children. If elected, I will solve the problems with sewerages within the city and on the internal roads, as well as the problem with renovating the yards of multi-story buildings.
Akhaltskha.Net: The former authorities practically ignored the Armenians in Akhaltsikhe. They were trying to intimidate the people. The local Armenians weren’t fully involved in Akhaltsikhe's local self-government bodies. How do ... »»»
According to Father Hakob, last year the Georgian Orthodox Church registered the Armenian chapels as its property, but the chapels were already “registered” in the hearts of the Armenians, and nobody can change that. The chapels were “registered” in the hearts of Armenians ever since the day that the chapels were built, and the Armenians are the only rightful owners of these chapels.
In the end, the clergyman blessed the children and gave them gifts.
Last year, the Georgian Orthodox Church registered the “Sister’s and Brother’s” chapels as its property and performed a church ceremony on August 28th, causing uproar among the representatives of the Armenian Church and the Armenians of Akhaltsikhe.
Lawyer for the Georgian-Armenian Diocese Levon Isakhanyan also raised the issue during a recent meeting with Georgia’s Ombudsman Ucha Nanuashvili.
In honour of the International Children’s Day Levon Chidilyan, the Head of Department Cultural Affairs at Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia and the coordinator of the “Hayartun” Centre congratulated them. All the children were given balloons of different colours and on behalf of the worthy son of the fatherland Serzh Arutyunyan they received delicious ice-creams. Afterwards, the beautiful songs were performed by St.Nerses Shnorhali Kids Vocal Ensemble of the “Hayartun” Center (the conductor Maria Abovyan) as well by individual performers. At the end the Vice-president of the International Charity Organization “The Good Samaritan” Karen Yeritsyan gave the presents to all the children sent by the children of the organization.
The Public Defender has highlighted tendencies and priorities in the field of human rights for the reporting period, talked about the report and the recommendations made to different branches of the power.
At the meeting Levon Isakhanyan, the Head of the Legal Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia highlighted the discrimination in the field of restitution of property confiscated from religious minorities during the Soviet era and mentioned that numerous Armenian, Catholic and other minorities’ churches have been appropriated and are being used by the Georgian Orthodox Church. Attention has been paid to the problem of destruction of the Armenian churches on the Georgian territory, including the 14th century Mughnetsots Surb Gevorg church, and a part of the 18th century Surb Nshan church in the historical center of Tbilisi.
In the meantime attention has been paid to the problem of consideration of national minorities as potential source of instability.
Moreover, special attention has been paid to the case of interference of the Azerbaijani officials in Georgia’s internal affairs, which caused violation of cultural rights of the Georgian Armenian comm ... »»»
On May 29, Armenians of Akhaltsikhe gathered at Saint Grigor Lusavorich Church to celebrate the Ascension of Jesus Christ. After the Liturgy, the young members of the Armenian Youth Educational and Cultural Center of Akhaltsikhe entertained the gathered with their dances.
Mayoral candidate from “Georgian Dream” Party Giorgi Kopadze and Armenian and Georgian candidates for the city’s sacrebulo were also visiting the church.
During a meeting with the people, the mayoral candidate presented his political platform, which includes points related to healthcare, socio-economic and municipal development.
During the meeting, spiritual leader of Akh ... »»»
May 28th is a day of victory and independence for all Armenians around the world. On that occasion, the Armenian Youth Educational and Cultural Center of Akhaltskha held an event dedicated to Armenia’s Republic Day.
The event began with a performance of the national anthem of the Republic of Armenia, after which the young members recited poems devoted to Armenia and Armenians and sang patriotic songs.
The Armenian Youth Educational and Cultural Center of Akhaltskha also held a film screening and a lecture on the occasion of Republic Day and the victories in the battles of Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan and Gharakilisa.
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On May 26, on the occasion of Georgia’s Independence Day, a festive concert was held near the fortress in Rabat district of Akhaltskha with the participation of choirs and dance ensembles and individual performers from Akhaltskha and other cities.
The concert featured performances of Armenian dances by the “Gohanamk” Song and Dance Ensemble of the Armenian Youth Educational and Cultural Center of Akhaltskha.
The festive concert in Akhaltskha was broadcast live on Georgian television channels.
Several other events were also held in Akhaltskha on the occasion of Georgia’s Independence Day.
On May 18-22, 2014 the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner, Navi Pillay, visited Georgia. During her visit she met the President, Prime Minister, and Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Internal Affairs, among others. The aim of the High Commissioner’s visit was to discuss the human rights situation in Georgia. On May 21 Levon Isakhanyan, the Head of the Legal Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, informed the Commissioner about the discrimination in the field of restitution of property confiscated from religious minorities during the Soviet era. In response the Commissioner stressed that she was very unhappy about the selective approach towards religious minorities in Georgia and urged authorities to honor their international obligations. She further stressed the importance of implementing the anti-discriminatory provisions which exist in the Georgian Constitution.
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