“It seems the government makes hasty statements”, - the Patriarch’s secretary, archpriest Michael Botkoveli told journalists at Tbilisi international airport.

“We hoped the government would carry out negotiations, and the monuments, which are very important for our country, would appear within Georgia. Unfortunately, last evening we were informed that these territories are not even within the Georgian borders. This is such a pity to us. It is unimaginable that the government is pointing a finger at the communist regime. They are saying these territories were handed over to Azerbaijan during the Soviet period. We cannot share this position, as during the communist ruling the Georgian side was carrying out construction efforts there. It seems the government is making hasty statements, and this is such a pity. We will try to negotiate with the Azeri side on these monuments. We will use all our resources”, - archpriest Botkoveli said.

Clergymen say Azerbaijani border guards have been standing at Udabno Monastery, a part of Davit Gareji Monastery complex, since 6 May and they don’t allow worshipers into the monastery. Yesterday Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze said that part of Gareji Monastery Complex had not been in within Georgian boundaries since the Soviet period.