On April 6, Zaza Vashakmadze, Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues, held an introductory meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Iran to Georgia, Akbar Ghasemi Aliabadi.

Zaza Vashakmadze congratulated the guest on his appointment, wished him success in his work and expressed hope that the cooperation with the new Ambassador, as well as with his predecessor, will be successful and will further strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

At the meeting, the Chairman of the Agency briefed the Ambassador on the establishment of the State Agency for Religious Issues, religious policy in Georgia and the activities carried out by the state in this direction in recent years. Zaza Vashakmadze spoke about the funding of religious organizations, the transfer of religious buildings, trainings under the Governmental Human Rights Action Plan, the formation of an Inter-religious Council format, the current situation and current challenges in the field of religious freedom.

The chairman of the Agency also focused on the phenomenon of Georgian Islam and its different nature, which, in the light of the controversy in the world, is perceived as a positive experience of peaceful coexistence of Shiites and Sunnis.

During the meeting, the sides discussed issues on the agenda between the two countries and prospects for future cooperation. The Ambassador of Iran to Georgia thanked the Agency for its reception and expressed readiness to further strengthen the existing cooperation between Georgia and Iran.