On the 24^th of November, the chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues Zaza Vashakmadze met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Austria to Georgia Arad Benko at the Administration of the Government of Georgia.

The chairman of the agency wished success to the newly appointed Ambassador and expressed hope that the opening of the Embassy of Austria in Georgia would be a good basis for strengthening a co-operation and friendship between the two countries.

Zaza Vashakmadze introduced the guest traditionally existent religious diversity of Georgia and state policy which ensures peaceful coexistence of people with different religious belief. He also talked about the recent decisions made by the government in this sphere.

For Arad Benko opening of the Austrian Embassy in Georgia is important and symbolic and noted that this decision had historical reasons. Opening of the embassy confirms Georgia’s European choice. Austria will help Georgia in deepening the process of democratization and in approaching the European standards.

The Ambassador informed the chairman about the ethnic composition of Austria and religious policy as well as the legal regulation that ensures respect for the language and the state and settlement of religious education in the country.

At the meeting the issues concerning mutual relations and plans for future cooperation were also discussed.