The analysis of the recent developments around Davit Gareja desert leaves an impression that there is another force, which wants to create a serious problem between Azerbaijan and Georgia, unfortunately, this force finds support in both countries, – reads the statement of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.

In the statement, which was introduced by Archpriest Mikheil Botkoveli on Monday evening, the Patriarch underlines ongoing intergovernmental negotiations, as well as the role of international and friendly nations. The Georgian Patriarch calls upon the parish and the clergy to avoid provocations, to keep calm and show the robustness and civic responsibility.

“Analysis of the recent developments around Davit Gareja desert leaves an impression that there is another force, which wants to create a serious problem between Azerbaijan and Georgia. Unfortunately, this force finds support in both countries to accomplish its purpose. But we must not yield to provocations!

When the negotiations are underway between the states, when the Church has not yet been involved in discussions, when there are many ways to interact with the Azerbaijan side, when it is possible to resolve the problem in a civilized way with the help of international organizations and friendly countries, ignoring these resources and making sharp statements and actions are contrary to our national interests. We believe that the creation of tension should be unacceptable for the Azerbaijani side.

We call on everyone who considers that it’s a painful problem: it is necessary to keep calm; It is necessary to show more robustness and civic responsibility, we particularly call on the clergy and the parish,” the Patriarch’s statement reads.