Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has called a statement by the Georgian Patriarchate concerning the Kurmuk church unacceptable, saying the position expressed in it amounted to territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
The ministry said the Georgian religious body’s position contradicted the spirit of friendship, strategic partnership and good-neighborly relations between the two countries, according to Vesti Baku.
Dispute Over the Church’s Name and Status
The ministry said the Kurmuk church is located in Azerbaijan and that using alternative names for the country’s geographical and historical place names was unacceptable.
Baku said it has consistently respected Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and expects the same approach toward Azerbaijan. In that context, the ministry characterized the Patriarchate’s position as containing territorial claims.
The ministry urged religious organizations to avoid steps that could damage the two peoples’ centuries-old relationship. It also called on the Georgian Patriarchate not to repeat approaches associated with the Armenian Church.
Azerbaijan said all historical, cultural and religious monuments located within its territory form part of the country’s national heritage.