Dispute about Georgian-Azerbaijani border provokes conflict at Udabno Monastery

For several days, monks, pilgrims and tourists could not get to the Udabno Monastery located in the territory of the ancient Georgian cave complex "David Gareji", the road to which was blocked by Azerbaijani border guards. The conflict was settled after negotiations of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFAs) of Georgia and Azerbaijan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that because of the unresolved problem of the Georgian-Azerbaijani border demarcation, there is a dispute over one of the most important cultural and religious sights of Georgia – the "David Gareji" Monastery Complex.

A few days ago, Azerbaijani border guards blocked the road to the Udabno Monastery and do not allow the clergy, believers and tourists to enter it, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reported on April 25 with reference to the "Rustavi-2" TV channel.

The border guards installed signs near the Monastery that ban the movement, the "Sputnik-Georgia" reports referring to Kirion, the Archimandrite of the "David Gareji" Monastery.

After negotiations of the two MFAs, the border guards opened the road to the Udabno Monastery, the TV channel has reported.

"At the moment, the situation has been settled. According to our information, the Azerbaijani authorities have decided to open the points that had been closed," said David Zalkaliani, the Georgian Foreign Minister.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 26, 2019 at 01:23 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.