Baku: Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade, has congratulated the newly elected Patriarch of Georgia, the Caucasus Muslims Office told APA.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the congratulatory message highlighted the election of Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, Shio (Mujiri) as Catholicos-Patriarch by the expanded council of the Georgian Orthodox Church. This election is said to reflect the position of all Georgian clergy and the Georgian people.

The message conveyed confidence in Metropolitan Shio's commitment as the successor of the late Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. It expressed hope that he would strive to preserve and further develop the religious and spiritual relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia, along with fostering productive cooperation between the peoples.

The message also recalled the historical visit of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II to Azerbaijan after the countries restored their independence, marking him as the first Christian religious leader to do so. In light of this, Sheikhulislam Pashazade extended an invitation to Metropolitan Shio to visit Azerbaijan.