Georgia approves construction of Turkish mosque in Batumi

Georgia has permitted Turkey to construct a mosque in Batumi. The Georgian Culture Minister Nika Rurua said that it is a necessary step to save Georgian cultural monuments on the Turkish territory, Georgia Online reports.

Rurua said that details of the deal will be revealed after its signing by the Turkish side.

Turkish and Georgian government commissions have a protocol. According to the document, Turkey plans to rehabilitate 3 and construct 1 mosque in Georgia. Georgia will rehabilitate 4 old temples in Turkey. This concerns the old Khandzta, Oshki, Ishkhani and Otkhta churches at Tao-Klarjeti. Turkey will rehabilitate the mosques at Samtskhe-Javakheti and Akhaltsikhe Regions, Kobuleti District, build the mosque burned down in 1940 and restore the Turkish bathhouse in Batumi.