The Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church has expressed deep concern over the excavations being carried out at the Kurmukhi Church of St. George in Azerbaijan, Novosti Gruzia reports.

Tbilisi announced that the construction and research work at the church site was being carried out unilaterally, and called on the Georgian authorities to immediately intervene in the situation. The Georgian Orthodox Church considers this church to be an important monument of Georgia's historical and spiritual heritage.

The Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church said that it has not received any information about the work from Azerbaijani state agencies. It called on the relevant Georgian organizations to urgently request official data from Baku and ensure that Georgian experts and clergy participate in the process.

The Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church added that what is happening has caused a sharp reaction and justified indignation in Georgian society, which may negatively affect the good-neighborly relations between the two countries. In response, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry issued a statement, which reads as follows, in particular: “In this regard, repetition of the known approaches of the Armenian Church or following its path is not recommended.

All historical, cultural and religious monuments located in the territory of Azerbaijan constitute an integral part of the national heritage of the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani state.”