Today, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Georgia, Veselin Valkanov, visited the Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues, Zaza Vashakmadze, at the administration of the Government of Georgia.

Zaza Vashakmadze introduced the guest to the religious policy of the state of Georgia and the goals and objectives of the State Agency for Religious Issues, the projects implemented to protect freedom of religion, the promote a tolerant environment and the activities carried out within the framework of the governmental action plan for human rights. He alsa stressed the precedent of harmonious coexistence of Shiite and Sunni Muslims in Georgia, namely praying in one mosque which aroused the interest of the guest. Zaza Vashakmadze touched upon the facts of human rights violations in the occupied territories of Georgia, in response the ambassador said that the reality seen from the occupied Tskhinvali region, which he saw with his own eyes, is much more serious.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria thanked the Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues for the reception and interesting information and expressed his desire for close cooperation with the Agency. According to the Ambassador, the integration between religious groups is of special importance, and trainings and other events conducted by the Agency are a justified way to achieve it. According to Zaza Vashakmadze, traditionally the Agency is in close and fruitful cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria.

At the end of the meeting, the chairman of the Agency presented the publications of the Agency  - "Occupied Heritage", "Religions in Georgia" and "Functioning Cult Buildings in Tbilisi as of 2020" as a gift to the Bulgarian ambassador.