PACE to discuss condition of Abkhaz monuments

Georgia plans to initiate talks on the condition of Georgian cultural and historic monuments in Abkhazia at the PACE today, News Georgia reports.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe holds a session in Strasburg on January 23-27. The Georgian delegation wants to present UNESCO director general and PACE officials facts about the grave condition of Georgian monuments in Abkhazia, a member of Christian Democrats, Magda Anikashvili, said.

Jaba Samushia, a member of the Tbilisi City Council and member of Christian Democrats, said that the Council of Europe, UNESCO and Georgian partners in Europe will receive official letters on the situation in Abkhazia.

The Rustavi-2 cited Russian experts’ saying that a unique fresco on the Bediysky Cathedral of the 10th century of the Tkvarchelsky District of Abkhazia had been damaged by low-skilled re-enactors. It is considered the only fresco depicting Georgian King Bagrat III.

Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze said that Georgia was negotiating permission for access to its monuments in Abkhazia with the UNESCO.