David Garaji Monastery Problem discussed in Georgia parliament

The members of the Committee, the authorities of Border police, the officers of Interior Ministry and Culture, Protection of Monuments and Sport Ministry took part in the sitting. Zviad Dzidziguri, the representative of Democratic Front faction called it a delicate problem. "This is a problem of all Georgia; we all try to solve the problem answering to our interests," representative said.

The deputy Foreign Minister Georgi Manjgaladze said that instead of the territory of David Garaji in Azerbaijan, we offered Baku other part of the border. But he did not give any information about the details of the exchange. He also stated that they hold negotiations on the issue, but Azerbaijani side has not answered yet.

The minister Georgi Gabashvili said that Georgia and Azerbaijan joined the convention against committed vandalism acts against cultural monuments. "We got agreement on restoration of frescoes in David Garaji monastery during my visit to Baku. It is very difficult process to restore the frescoes and it needs more time. I am sure that we will consider the interests of both sides," he said.

The leader of faction of opposition of Democratic Front Levan Berdzeneshvili thinks that it is important to solve the problems on presidential level. Berdzeneshvili told the APA Georgia bureau that the talks have no results yet. "Azerbaijan government states that this territory is of great importance for Azerbaijan and of historical importance for Georgia," he said.