"There is no peace in Caucasus now..."

Ilia II said he knew Haji Allahshukur Pashazadeh very well, they worked to maintain peace together at the conferences and other religious events during the Soviet times.

“We are living in hard times. There is no peace in the Caucasus now. Therefore, we highly appreciate your arrival. The problems in the Caucasus and North Caucasus must be solved. The ongoing happenings may have terrible and unexpected results. We must meet more often. Please, convey my cordial greetings and best regards to Azerbaijani President,” he said.

Head of the Caucasian Muslims Office Haji Allahshukur Pashazadeh said Azerbaijan and Georgia shared joy and grief in hard times.

“There is a need for the word of the elderly person in the Caucasus. I see it in your personality. I remember very well your visits to Baku, meetings with Heydar Aliyev, Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva. I highly appreciate your participation in my 60th jubilee,” he said.

Pashazadeh said the territories of Azerbaijan and Georgia had been occupied, the countries’ territorial integrity violated.

“Our pains are also alike. Cursed enemies cause problems for Azerbaijanis and Georgians. Much must be done to establish peace in the Caucasus. We have to meet often for restoration of territorial integrity of our lands. These meetings are very important. We are religious people. We must try to solve problems in a peaceful way. I think that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Georgian President Mikhael Saakashvilli look for a peaceful way in the issue disturbing us. And as religious people, we must do our best for helping them”.

Georgian Catholicos presented Azerbaijani ambassador to Georgia Namig Aliyev a diploma on the occasion of membership into Gelati Academy. Azerbaijani ambassador thanked Ilia for accepting him in the Gelati Academy: “It is appraisal of friendship between our nations. This diploma is pride for me and wherever I will be, I will try to develop the friendship of our nations”.

Thereupon, both religious figures responded questions of journalists. Georgian Catholicos took a stance on Nagorno Karabakh conflict: “I think that conflicts resemble each other”. II Ilia told journalists that copies of the Caucasian Muslims Office’s archive covering 1823-1918 would be handed over to Azerbaijan.

Deputy Chairman of the Georgian Parliament Fridon Todua, MPs of Azerbaijani and Georgian Parliaments, religious figures of both countries attended the event.


/APA/