“The decision is that the traditional name of Georgia will be accompanied by the second name that would be closer to the Georgian language,” Audrys Antanaitis, chairman of the language watchdog, told BNS after the meeting on Thursday.
The decision was taken unanimously, with 15 members in support.
In Antanaitis’ words, the choice between Sakartvelo and Kartvelia is yet to be made, with subcommisions instructed to propose the best version within a month.
The final decision will then be made by the commission.
Antanaitis said the alternative version will be allowed in official letters, as well.
Georgia has asked Lithuania to use a different version of its name, as the current one is Russian.
The language commission has concluded there were no grounds for changing the Lithuanian version of the name of Georgia, as the current version had a long history of use and a unique form that fits the Lithuanian language, furthermore, the authentic name of Sakartvelo was not used anywhere in the European Union.