MFA Summons Vatican’s Envoy over Visit to Abkhazia

Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) summoned Vatican Papal Nuncio to Georgia Claudio Gugerotti on January 10 and expressed protest regarding his recent visit to breakaway Abkhazia, which, according to the Foreign Ministry, was not agreed on with the Georgian side in advance.

The Vatican’s envoy visited the Abkhaz capital Sokhumi on January 4 and met with Foreign Minister of breakaway region Sergey Shamba.

“The Georgian side does not ban visits of foreign diplomatic missions to Abkhazia, but it requires these visits be agreed upon with Tbilisi in advance,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in an information note.

Abkhaz news agencies reported that during the visit Papal Nuncio vowed to provide humanitarian assistance to Abkhazia. According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, the Vatican’s envoy assured the Georgian side that all humanitarian aid will be agreed on with Tbilisi.

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