Andreasyan on Introducing Georgian Language in Armenian Schools

The Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of Armenia, Zhanna Andreasyan, received a delegation headed by Mariam Lashkhini, the chair of the Education, Science and Youth Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, today. Also present was Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Arthur Martirosyan. This information has been reported by the Ministry.

Welcoming Mariam Lashkhini and the members of the delegation, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized the importance of close and effective cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities of the two countries, as well as the ongoing development of the friendly relations established between Armenia and Georgia. She highlighted the extensive potential for cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, sports, and youth, which could play a significant role in strengthening the ties between the two countries.

Speaking about deepening cooperation in the field of education, Minister Andreasyan stressed the importance of introducing Georgian language teaching as a foreign language in Armenian schools, as well as the necessity of training specialists who teach Georgian and organizing joint retraining programs. According to the minister, these steps will allow for an increase in the number of schools in Armenia that offer Georgian language courses. At the same time, joint efforts to develop the teaching of the Armenian language and literature in Georgian-language schools in Georgia, as well as ensuring textbooks, were also emphasized.

Mariam Lashkhini, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s committee, thanked the host for the warm reception and highlighted the great potential for sectoral cooperation between the two countries. She proposed considering the expansion of ties specifically in the field of science, through the joint implementation of international educational and research programs, including within the frameworks of 'Erasmus+' and 'Horizon Europe'. In the context of expanding cooperation in science and research, the sides emphasized the activities of the Center for Georgian Studies at Yerevan State University. At the same time, the activities and development prospects of the Armenian Studies Center at Tbilisi State University were discussed.

The parties also underlined the implementation of an interstate scholarship program, within which ten master's scholarship spots are provided on an exchange basis, including in the fields of Armenian studies and Georgian studies.

The Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports also highlighted the importance of holding youth forums in Armenia and Georgia, noting that they contribute to strengthening dialogue and cooperation among the youth of the two countries, the implementation of new initiatives, and deepening friendly ties.

During the meeting, other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.