On the 13^th of December the chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues Zaza Vashakmadze held an introductory meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria, Desislava Ivanova.

The chairman and the Ambassador talked about religious policy in Georgia and Bulgaria and about those common challenges facing both Orthodox countries.

Zaza Vashakmadze introduced Desislava Ivanova to recent decisions made by the government of Georgia in the sphere of religion and the issues of cooperation between the state and religious organizations as well as the activities of the agency.

The newly appointed Ambassador emphasized the benevolent attitude towards her which she felt since the first days of her visit to Georgia. This is determined by the relationship between the two countries and those common views that Georgia and Bulgaria share.

Desislava Ivanova confirmed the support of Bulgaria and informed the chairman that in 2017-2018 the country would have two important missions, first it would become a NATO Contact Embassy; and the second, it would get the status of the EU Presidency. The above mentioned decisions will only serve to strengthen the relationship between the two countries, respectively, Bulgaria will continue to support and help Georgia on the path to EU and NATO. This was proved by the strong position of Bulgaria expressed in favor of Georgia in Brussels while discussing the issues of visa liberalization.

In addition, the ambassador introduced the chairman to those strategic directions and projects that had been implementing by Bulgaria in Georgia.

Zaza Vashakmadze offered Desislava Ivanova a cooperation and fulfilment of joint projects and asked for inviting Emil Velinov, the head of Directorate of Religion and Belief under the Government of Bulgaria, to Georgia.

The Ambassador gladly accepted the invitation of the chairman to those events that had been planned by the agency to the nearest future and promised to help the agency in the issues of its interest.