Georgia's ethnic minority integration policies in Kvemo Kartli region

In multiethnic Georgia, the largest ethnic minorities are Azerbaijanis and they compactly and peacefully live in the Kvemo Kartli region which is also home to people from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. This thesis aims to explain the survival and maintenance of Georgian Azerbaijani identity in post-soviet Georgia. We delve into evolving circumstances of ethnic minorities in the Kvemo Kartli region over recent decades and we analyze the nature of Georgia's policies towards Azerbaijanis and other ethnic minorities. The study also endeavors to assess the consequences of governmental policies that have been implemented since Georgia's attainment of independence. We conducted a case study of Azerbaijanis in the Kvemo Kartli region which included documental analyses, and semi structured expert interviews. For documental analyses, we examined main reports, websites, media analyses, and literature on Georgian Azerbaijanis and ethnicity, nationalism. Through conducting a case study, and historical and documental analysis of Georgia's policies for ethnic minority integration, as well as external influences on the region, this study sheds light on the principal accomplishments, shortcomings and future requirements. The research discerns that despite maintaining the cohesion of Georgian Azerbaijanis within the Georgian state and upholding the rich diversity of ethnic communities, disparities in ensuring equality among these groups persist as a hindrance to the successful ethnic-cultural integration of Georgian Azerbaijanis into Georgian society.