POLITICS
GEORGIA PONDERS OVER RETURNING OF MESKHET-TURKS
As a part of its entry into the Council of Europe in January 1999 Georgia undertook commitment to ensure the return of Meskhet-Turks who were deported in 40s last century. Repatriation of Turks had to be started in 2001. However, it was postponed at the Georgian side’s initiative.
The bill should include the exact number of Meskhetians living outside Georgia, chairman of the Human Rights Protection Committee of Georgia Yelena Tevtoradze stated in this respect. Azerbaijan and Turkey claim that a great number of Meskhet-Turks are now residing in their territories. As far as we know, 15 thousand of them are willing to return to Georgia.
During the visit of the Georgian delegation to Strasbourg, this issue has been raised again. In the course of the meeting between Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis and chairperson of Georgian Parliament, the sides discussed the issues concerning the membership fees and Turks.