TBILISI (Fact)–The Social-Democratic Party of Georgia issued an announcement Wednesday vehemently opposing proposed plans for a Georgia-Turkey railway project.
The party stressed that the planned project would transform Georgia into a clearinghouse for Turkish products–a move which could destabalize Georgia’s national economy.
The announcement also outlined that the proposed railway could halt operations of the Poti and Batum ports–which for decades have been Georgia’s gateway to the world–arguing that cargo would be directed straight to Turkey from the east.
The most important issue of note in the announcement was a foreseen threat of Turkification of the Georgian population.
The Social-Democratic party also urged Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze to carefully address this grievance.
