Border guards of Georgia and Azerbaijan mobilized because of monastery action

The Georgian activists, who lined up in a living chain near the "David Garedja" Monastery Complex on the border with Azerbaijan, were closely watched by border guards of the two countries. Mamuka Bakhtadze, the Georgian Prime Minister, has stated that the solution of the problems of border demarcating and disputed territories will take a lot of time.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 25, it became known that for several days, monks, pilgrims and tourists could not get to the "Udabno" Monastery, located on the territory of the oldest Georgian cave complex "David Garedja", which was blocked by Azerbaijani border guards. The conflict was resolved after negotiations at the level of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFAs) of the two countries.

Civilian activists made a live chain on the path leading to that part of the monastery complex, which was blocked for passage by Azerbaijani border guards in late April, the "InterPressNews" reported on May 5.

The participants of the action have intended to show that "David Garedja" is Georgia, and any restrictions on getting there are contrary to good neighbourly relations," said one of female activists.

According to the "InterPressNews", Azerbaijani border guards were watching the activists "in intensive mode," and Georgian border guards were mobilized "to maintain security and order."

A commission will be created for the delimitation and demarcation of the disputed sections of the Georgian-Azerbaijani border, but the process itself is very laborious and, therefore, will take a lot of time, Mamuka Bakhtadze, the Georgian Premier, has stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 5, 2019 at 11:59 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.