YEREVAN, JUNE 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian Apostolic Church has never discussed the issue of church exchange with Georgia, Director of Information Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, priest Ter-Vahan Melikian stated in response to Noyan Tapan correspondent's question about the news of the Trend Azerbaijani information agency, which referring to a Georgian source reported that it is envisaged to exchange Georgian and Armenian churches. "No exchange of churches can be spoken about and the statement spread by the unnamed Georgian source is false and provocative," priest Melikian added. According to the Azerbaijani source, during the visit to Georgia of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II it is envisaged to sign an agreement, according to which 10 churches will be given to the Armenian side, 7 out of which are in Tbilisi, and Georgia will receive 7 churches in Armenia instead. Priest Ter-Vahan Melikian also said that the issue of status of Georgian Armenian Diocese has been raised by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, as the churches in Georgia, with the exception of the Georgian Church, are not registered and have no status. Another issue raised before the Georgian authorities is return of six historic Armenian churches to the Georgian Armenian Diocese.

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