PM Garibashvili: handover of a plot of land near Jordan river historic

The handover of a 4,000-square meter plot of land near Jordan River for a Georgian culture center is historic, Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili said late on Monday, following his visit to Jordan.  

The plot of land was gifted to Georgia back in January, near the river that flows through the Sea of Galilee lake and towards the Dead Sea. 

“Today, we have witnessed a historic moment – a plot of land was handed over to Georgia at the place of the Savior’s baptism, near the Jordan River,” Garibashvili posted on Facebook. 

He stated that after 300 years, Georgia has returned to the Holy Land.

“With the blessing of the Patriarch, a Georgian cultural center will be built here,” Garibashvili noted. 

“I would like to thank once again the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilus, and the Archbishop of Jordan,” Garibashvili stated. 

Garibashvili met with Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem and Archbishop Christophoros Attalla of Jordan’s Orthodox Christian Church on Sunday. 

He thanked the top clerics for their contributions to the transfer. 

A dinner, hosted on behalf of the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Archbishop of Jordan’s Orthodox Christian Church in honor of Garibashvili, was attended by His Royal Highness, Prince Ghazi.

Earlier the same day Gariabashvili presented the Georgian state Order of the Golden Fleece to King Abdullah II of Jordan for the handover of the plot of land by Jordanian authorities.