Zurabishvili Meets Armenian Patriarch in Yerevan

Within the framework of an official visit to the Republic of Armenia, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili met with the head of the Armenian Church, Garegin II.

Zurabishvili expressed her sharp position regarding the subordination of the Armenian churches located in Abkhazia to the Southern Russian Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. According to her, this decision is perceived as a violation of the recognition of the territorial integrity of Georgia by the Armenian Apostolic Church and asked the Catholicos to change the decision timely and subordinate the mentioned churches to the jurisdiction of the Georgian eparchy of the Armenian Church.

Garegin II responded that “despite this temporary measure, the Armenian Apostolic Church recognizes the Armenian churches located on the territory of Abkhazia under the subordination of the Georgian eparchy of the Armenian Church.”

He said Abkhazia is the canonical territory of the Georgian eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which is a fact certified in writing.

During her visit to Armenia Zurabishvili met her counterpart, Armen Sarkissian. As emphasized during the meeting, Georgia recognizes the territorial integrity of all states within their internationally recognized borders. Also, Georgia is ready to support the peaceful resolution of the conflict.

At the meeting with the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, the sides discussed key aspects of Georgia-Armenia political and economic cooperation.

Georgian President also met the President of the National Assembly of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and discussed the prospects for enhancing Georgia-Armenia regional and multilateral cooperation during the meeting.

By Thea Morrison

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