According to Haykazoun Alvrtsyan, Director of the Research Center for Western-Armenian Affairs, one can expect no serious changes in Armenian-Georgian relations due to Georgia's formal exit from the CIS. At a press conference today, Mr. Alvrtsyan stated, "We simply lost a border with the CIS which, in essence, we really never had previously anyway. Neither did the railway work nor the overland route from Ossetia. Only the sea route was operable." He went on to say that, "Georgia gradually sees that it has lost its erstwhile importance for the West and the United States. It is clear that Georgia will not become a member of NATO for a long time to come. It is also clear that Abkhazia and South Ossetia will not be returned to Georgia. Reviewing its options and projects based on its one-time favorable status, Georgia is now looking to cement more creative relations with Armenia, both economically and in terms of communications, since Iran is now looking at Armenia with interest regarding future communications potential, both in terms of the railway and as a market." Mr. Alvrtsyan also said that the Georgian move had a negative impact on Javakhk since Georgian-Russian diplomatic relations have been severed, the routes to Russia for seasonal employment have been closed to Javakhk Armenians. In a word, serious socio-economic problems have arisen in Javakhk. He added that the Armenians of Javakhk have high expectations of Armenia and that without Yerevan's moral, educational, cultural and economic assistance it will be difficult to hold on to this important historic Armenian province. "This is what is important and our authorities do not see the reality or wish to see it. Since independence, Armenia has had no overall policy towards Javakhk," Mr. Alvrtsyan concluded.