Zaza Vashakmadze, the chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues, met with the newly appointed extraordinary and plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Georgia, H.E. Bergljot Hovland at the Administration of the Government of Georgia.

The guest was introduced to the activities of the Agency, its goals and objectives, the projects implemented for the protection of religious freedom and promoting a tolerant environment, the format of the activities of the Interreligious Council.

The chairman of the Agency paid special attention to the facts of violation of human rights in general and freedom of religion in particular in the territories of Georgia occupied by Russia. The chairman of the Agency particularly noted the fact that all denominations, except the Georgian Orthodox Church, have the right to move to the occupied territories and worship there.

H.E. Hovland thanked Zaza Vashakmadze for hosting her and expressed the full support of the Kingdom of Norway for Georgia's European integration. According to the Ambassador, in this context, the freedom of religion and expression is the most important issue and the activity of the Agency is highly appreciated.

At the end of the meeting, Zaza Vashakmadze presented to the Ambassador the publications of the Agency - Interreligious Calendar, "Occupied Heritage", "Functioning Cult Buildings in Tbilisi as of 2020", "Religions in Georgia" and "Faith is an Act of Freedom".