Grigol Gegelia: “We want to state clearly that friendship should not and cannot be one-sided. Friendship and partnership cannot mean refusing to address questions concerning our country’s national, historical and cultural heritage, or speaking to us in a tone that we find unacceptable.” - This is how Grigol Gegelia, one of the leaders of “Lelo - Strong Georgia,” responded to a statement issued by Azerbaijan regarding the Kurmukhi Church.

According to Grigol Gegelia, this is yet another example of how the “Georgian Dream” regime is unable to protect national interests in any direction. As for the statement issued by the Georgian Patriarchate concerning the ongoing works at the Kurmukhi Church, located on the territory of Azerbaijan, Gegelia said that, unfortunately, in response to the legitimate questions raised by the Georgian Patriarchate, official Baku issued a statement that does not reflect the spirit of respectful relations between neighboring and partner states.

“Lelo - Strong Georgia” shares and supports the questions raised by the Patriarchate regarding the works at the Kurmukhi Church, located in historical Hereti. It is important that the Patriarchate’s questions were based both on respect for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and on recognition of the significance of our spiritual and cultural heritage sites.

Unfortunately, we do not see equal respect and understanding in Azerbaijan’s statement, which even questions why the Patriarchate refers to this church as the Church of St. George of Kurmukhi, a name it has borne since at least 1310.

We value good-neighborly relations with the state of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people. However, we want to state clearly that friendship should not and cannot be one-sided. Friendship and partnership cannot mean refusing to address questions concerning our country’s national, historical and cultural heritage, or speaking to us in a tone that we find unacceptable.

Under normal circumstances, questions of this kind should not become grounds for such exchanges between neighbors. And if such conduct has become permissible or acceptable to anyone today, this is a direct consequence of the “Georgian Dream’s” weakening of Georgia’s international standing, diminishing our sovereignty, and moving the country from the position of an equal player to that of a vassal.

As a result, in the reality created by this regime, disrespectful treatment of the Georgian state has become increasingly frequent, and it is hardly surprising that a country in such a position is unable to defend its sovereign interests in any direction.

Of course, we cannot expect any protection of Georgian cultural heritage sites from a regime that has destroyed Gelati and blown up Sakdrisi. The public also well remembers that the authorities, which for years cynically manipulated the David Gareja issue, have still not told the public what they have achieved in this regard beyond propaganda and self-congratulation.

However, the complaint voiced by official Baku toward the Georgian Patriarchate once again reminds us of the importance of governments clearly defending national interests - something the “Georgian Dream” government has failed and been unwilling to do for years.

“Lelo” welcomes strategic partnership and friendship, but not at the expense of surrendering our national dignity and positions.

“I want to reiterate our support for the important questions raised by the Patriarchate and express my hope that Azerbaijan will provide adequate answers to all of these questions,” Grigol Gegelia said.

For reference, the Georgian Patriarchate responded to works being carried out near the Church of St. George of Kurmukhi, located on the territory of Azerbaijan. According to the Patriarchate, information and photo and video materials circulated in the media in recent days concerning works being carried out at the Church of St. George of Kurmukhi in historical Hereti and on its grounds are concerning. The Patriarchate explained that although the Kurmukhi Church is currently located on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, it is nevertheless one of the most important monuments of the historical and spiritual heritage of Georgia and the Georgian Church.

The Georgian Patriarchate stated that it had received no information from the relevant state agencies of the Republic of Azerbaijan concerning the works being carried out. The Patriarchate said that it was urgently necessary for the relevant Georgian state agencies to become involved in the process and respond appropriately.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan responded to the Georgian Patriarchate’s statement. The statement said that the Georgian Patriarchate’s recent comments regarding the Kurmukhi Church, which is located on Azerbaijani territory, contradict the spirit of friendship, partnership and good-neighborly relations existing between Azerbaijan and Georgia. According to the ministry, Azerbaijan has always respected Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“For this very reason, the approach of the Georgian Patriarchate, which implies territorial claims related to Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, is incomprehensible. It is important that religious institutions refrain from approaches that could undermine the historic ties of friendship and good-neighborly relations that have developed between Azerbaijanis and Georgians over the centuries. In this regard, repeating the well-known approaches of the Armenian Church or following its path is not recommended. All historical, cultural and religious monuments located on the territory of Azerbaijan constitute an integral part of the national heritage of the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani state,” the statement said.