Abkhazia government head meets Ecumenical Patriarch in Istanbul

Chairman of the Government of Georgia's Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia Giorgi Jincharadze has met Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in Istanbul, where the patriarch reaffirmed his support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Bartholomew also expressed support for people affected by the conflict in Abkhazia, Jincharadze’s office said.

The meeting focused on the humanitarian situation of those affected by the war in Abkhazia, the rights of internally displaced persons, and the protection of Orthodox churches, monasteries and cultural heritage sites located in the occupied region.

Jincharadze thanked the Ecumenical Patriarch for his long-standing support for children displaced by the conflict and expressed appreciation for hosting children from Abkhazia at an international summer camp on the island of Kınalıada.

The annual summer camp is organised by the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia with the support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The meeting was also attended by Giorgi Sutidze, head of the Abkhaz government's administration, and Georgia's Consul General in Istanbul, Aleksandre Jishkariani.