On April 29, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin during his official visit to Armenia. The Catholicos emphasized that the Armenian and Georgian peoples, guided by their Christian faith and shared values, have withstood the trials of time while preserving their unique national identities and cultural heritage.

He expressed appreciation to the Georgian authorities for their mediation in securing the return of 15 Armenian prisoners of war and for their ongoing care toward the Armenian community in Georgia.

His Holiness Karekin II also conveyed fraternal greetings and best wishes to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia.

In response, President Kavelashvili expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of his official visit to Armenia. He underlined the central role of Christian faith in preserving the spiritual, cultural, and national identity of both nations, as well as in overcoming historical challenges.

The president assured the Catholicos that Georgia will continue its mediation efforts aimed at promoting regional peace, stability, and the release of detainees.

Kavelashvili, accompanied by clergy, also visited the Mother Cathedral, where he became acquainted with its renovated structure and history.

The meeting was also attended by Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See; Bishop Mushegh Babayan, Head of the Administrative Department; Bishop Kirakos Davtyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; and the ambassadors of both countries.

In September 2023, after a nine-month blockade and the ethnic cleansing of the entire Armenian population of Artsakh, Azerbaijan detained former Artsakh Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, and other former officials. The fabricated charges against them could lead to life imprisonment. The politically motivated trials began in Baku on January 17.