Georgian MP: Education-related problems of Azerbaijanis in Georgia have almost been resolved

It was recently reported that public discussions on a new version of the Constitution have begun in Georgia. Is it true that majority of Azerbaijanis in the country will not participate in this because of ignorance of the state language as the bill is distributed to the public only in Georgian?

First, each of the minorities has their representatives in parliament and they can always rely on their help. With regard to people’s participation in the discussions, there are public organizations that are always ready to let the parliament know about people’s thoughts, corrections and dissatisfaction with the bill.

Association of Azerbaijani Students of Georgia, which is very interested in future Constitution, is actively involved in this matter. Recently they made a few new proposals. They also requested a meeting with the Committee of Parliament on Human Rights and Civil Integration in which I am a member.

I do not think that there might be some problems if someone from the Azerbaijanis will have initiatives on the text of the Constitution. If anyone is interested in the text of the bill, they may at any time apply to our committee and get a translation. In addition, in Georgia there are many NGOs working in this field who have the translations of the bill in all languages used in the country.

How would you assess the current degree of moral and material well-being of Azerbaijanis in Georgia today?

First, according to official figures, more than 300 thousand Azerbaijanis live in Georgia. I think this figure has increased over the past few years.

Well-being of Azerbaijanis differs in many ways. There are people who earn working in different institutions and companies. But majority of them are engaged in agriculture. I think that in this field quite good conditions have been provided to help people to grow and sell their products.

And what about unemployment among Azerbaijanis in Georgia?

This problem still exists. To resolve this issue, we need time. The state is working hard on this problem creating all necessary conditions to attract different investors in different spheres of production. The more investors, the more jobs.

For example, some companies from Azerbaijan are now working very productive in Georgia. They have opened a lot of jobs, and in most cases they involve precisely local Azerbaijanis.

There are also a number of successfully developing foreign companies. It all depends on how many such companies will be attracted to Georgia.  The Georgian leadership is very quick to respond to all questions vital for employment of citizens.

Have the problem of land holdings been completely solved for Azerbaijanis?

I believe that when the various NGOs raise the issue of shortage of land for the Azerbaijanis, their audience should think what the lands are in question are because there are different categories of lands. There are lands specifically for agricultural works, gardens and there are also commercial lands. Regarding the reform on distribution of household plots, I do not think there are any serious problems.

The vast majority of Azerbaijanis, who at that time were in Georgia, received these plots. As for agricultural lands, there is a variety of disputes and some discontent. But all these issues cannot be described as a shortage of land for the local Azerbaijanis. The majority of Azerbaijanis of Georgia own land plots. Some people do not agree with dimensions of the land, but such questions are solved through the courts. Many of these cases are in court now.

Furthermore, there are large and small landowners among Azerbaijanis in Georgia. Lands were given to full possession of farmers and many of them simply sold their plots. There are those who use their land, but there are those who do not. I think the problem will be eventually solved. Those who know how to work with land will gradually buy it from those who are not very successful in this business. Those who are now dissatisfied with the size of their land may, like all citizens, defend their rights in the appropriate courts. There is the Supreme Court and there is Strasbourg court. We, as MPs, are ready to give them this support.

What measures are taken to solve education problems of Azerbaijanis in Georgia?

This issue has almost been resolved. For national minorities, the state has allocated special privileges and quotas on the number of people who should receive education in universities of Georgia.

For example, if Azerbaijani, Abkhaz or Ossetian has studied in high school in his own native language, then he has a right to pass all entrance exams in his language, too. There is only one extra exam on general skills of the Georgian language. After they enter university, they will be taught the state language for a year. After this they will admitted to any college they prefer and will study in Georgian. The higher education takes 5 years. We are trying to attract NGOs as to disseminate this information among the Azerbaijanis.


R. Mehdiyev