A monastery that has become a flashpoint

Commentary

On Monday, 15 July, yet another incident occurred in the vicinity of the David Gareji Monastery which lies on a disputed area of the Georgian-Azerbaijani border.  The monastery has turned from a place of worship to a flashpoint, with Georgian religious zealots trying to state their claim on the land as Georgian territory, and Azerbaijani border guards stopping them.

This story has been ongoing since the collapse of the USSR in 1991, when a somewhat loose delineation of the borders between various Soviet republics became unsustainable. Georgia and Azerbaijan have since worked on this issue and much of the border between the two countries is now defined and agreed. Some spots, such as the area around the monastery, remain in dispute.

Georgian-Azerbaijani relations have traditionally been warm, at times even exemplary. But this border dispute has all the ingredients for turning the relationship sour. And it seems that there are those who want to do that.

After yesterday's incident both Georgia and Azerbaijan issued statements, which emphasised the Georgian-Azerbaijani strategic partnership and relationship. Both governments want to resolve the issue through negotiations. Yet the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry felt it had to further dramatise the manner by formally summoning the Georgian Ambassador. The statement of the Georgian Ministry appears more conciliatory, with an appeal for restraint.

It is very likely that radicals in Georgia are trying to turn the David Gareji issue into a crisis. If this is the case they need to be condemned. It is also possible however that some officials in Azerbaijan may be overreacting. They also need to be restrained. Both Azerbaijan and Georgia should respect the border delineations that they have already agreed, and move speedily but deligently to resolve what has not. There are already too many disputes and problems in the South Caucasus. A dispute between Azerbaijan and Georgia is neither necessary, nor inevitable, nor in anyone's interest.

source: commonspace.eu 

image: The David Gareji Monastery complex on the disputed Azerbaijan-Georgian border

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Putin makes first visit to Kursk since Russia recaptured region

Putin makes first visit to Kursk since Russia recaptured region

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Kursk for the first time since Moscow claimed to have completely recaptured the region following a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces last year, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Wednesday. Putin met with municipal leaders in the city of Kurchatov and visited the Kursk nuclear power plant, which is currently under construction, the Kremlin said, according to TASS.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Putin makes first visit to Kursk since Russia recaptured region

Putin makes first visit to Kursk since Russia recaptured region

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Kursk for the first time since Moscow claimed to have completely recaptured the region following a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces last year, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Wednesday. Putin met with municipal leaders in the city of Kurchatov and visited the Kursk nuclear power plant, which is currently under construction, the Kremlin said, according to TASS.