Georgian president to Armenian patriarch: Armenian churches in Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia region must not be subordinate to Russia
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili raised the issue of Armenian churches in the Georgia’s occupied region of Abkhazia. Photo: President’s press office.
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has told Armenian Patriarch Karekin II in the town of Echmiadzin today that Armenian churches in the Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia should not be subordinated to the Southern Eparchy of Russia.
The fact [that the Armenian churches are now under the subordination of the Russian church in Abkhazia] is perceived as a violation of Georgia’s territorial integrity,” Zurabishvili said, and stated that the Armenian Church “must [address the situation] as soon as possible” and bring the church under the subordination of the Georgian Eparchy of the Armenian Church, as it was in previous years.
Zurabishvili said that Georgian Patriarch Ilia II is “very much concerned” by the issue.
Karekin II stated that “despite the temporary measure”, the Armenian government recognises that Armenian churches on the territory of Abkhazia are under the subordination of the Georgian Eparchy of the Armenian Church.
What an honor to meet with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, at the #Etchmiadzin Cathedral. pic.twitter.com/6KcJnQ0vu6
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) March 14, 2019
Zurabishvili said that she welcomed the statement “but an agreed outcome must be found for the urgent suspension of the temporarily measure.”
Zurabishvili and Karekin II also spoke about Armenian churches in Georgia, touched upon conflict issues and underlined the importance of the peaceful resolution of regional challenges.
Zurabishvili said that to identify the origin of certain churches on Georgian territory an archeological group must be created and involved.
She also spoke about Russian illegal activities in Georgia, the severe humanitarian situation in the Georgian occupied regions and the increased rates of illegal detention for “illegally crossing” the so-called border.
She said that Georgia has chosen an exclusively peaceful approach to settle the conflict.
Georgian President has stated in Armenia that it is “very sad” that delegations from Nagorno-Karabakh visit the two occupied regions of Georgia, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), and discuss these two conflicts as if they are of a similar nature.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has visited Armenia on her official trip today and has held a meeting with her Armenian counterpart Armen Sarkissian.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Zagulba Presidential Palace in Baku today on her first regional trip as president. Zurabishvili stated that the two countries started a new, independent life together after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili has met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan within the framework of her official visit to Armenian Republic.
Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Garibashvili met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev earlier today in Baku, to discuss strategic cooperation and joint projects, the Defence Ministry press office reports.“Garibashvili thanked Azerbaijan for supporting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and stated that the relationship between the two countries is based on trust and strategic cooperation,” the press office said.