Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan has not blocked entry of clerics to the David Garechi monastery -- located in a borderline territory disputed by the two South Caucasus republics, Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Khizanishvili told local media.

Khizanishvili said a part of the complex is in Azerbaijan`s territory, and those trying to access the area have to pass through a border checkpoint.

Georgian clerics have claimed that Azerbaijani border guards sealed off the area to everyone from May 6.

Georgian analysts have explained the tightened security on the Azerbaijan-Georgia border by the Eurovision song contest, which will be held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku on May 22-26.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev told Radio Liberty that he had learned about allegations concerning blocked entry to the monastery from Georgian media.

``I also read that Georgian officials intend to appeal to the Azerbaijani embassy in Georgia,`` he said. ``I contacted the ambassador, but was told that no such appeal has yet been made. If a formal appeal is made, we will also issue an official statement.``

The David Garechi complex covering 20 monasteries carved in rocks is located between Georgia`s borderline Gardabani region and Azerbaijan`s northwestern district of Aghstafa. The site was divided between the two republics during the Soviet times.