An introductory meeting was held at the Administration of the Government of Georgia between the Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues, Zaza Vashakmadze, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Georgia, Olivier Courteau.

The Chairman of the Agency ongratulated the newly appointed Ambassador on his appointment and wished him success in his work. He introduced the Ambassador to the main directions, objectives and implemented projects of the Georgian State’s religious policy, focusing on the tolerant environment in the country and the Agency’s activities in this regard.

The Chairman of the Agency particularly noted the dire situation in the occupied territories in terms of freedom of religion, the violation of fundamental human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, the persecution and oppression of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the restriction of religious services, as well as the facts of encroachment of cult buildings and the destruction of Georgian cultural identity in the regions occupied by the Russian side.

Zaza Vashakmadze presented the Ambassador with the publications of the Agency: “Occupied Heritage”, “Functioning Cult Buildings in Georgia as of 2023”, “Functioning Cult Buildings in Tbilisi as of 2020” and “Religions in Georgia” and expressed hope that the intensive relations that have been established with the French Embassy since the establishment of the Agency will be continued.

At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Olivier Courteau thanked the Chairman of the Agency for his reception and for the comprehensive information. Diplomat Olivier Courteau served in Lisbon, Ankara, Amman, Algiers and Abu Dhabi, and is a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor and the National Order of Merit.