On December 22, 2016, Defense Minister of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan, who was in Georgia on an official visit, visited the Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi which is the seat of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan along with the clergy received the Armenian Defense Minister.

Minister Sargsyan accompanied by his delegation lit candles and prayed in the Cathedral of Saint George, built in the 13th century.

The Armenian Defense Minister laid flowers on the tombs of Armenian generals Mikhail Loris-Melikov, Ivan Lazarev, Boris Shelkovnikov, Arzas Ter-Ghukasov.

Later, the delegation led by the Armenian Defense Minister visited the Hayartun Educational, Cultural and Youth Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia where he met with representatives of Armenian community in Tbilisi, heads of Armenian organizations in Samtskhe-Javakheti, representatives of community-based organizations and intellectuals.

“Movses Khorenatsi” Preschool children performed the national anthems of the Republic of Armenia and Georgia, welcoming the guests.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan welcomed the Armenian Defense Minister and outlined the historical path of the Armenians and Georgians, who have always supported each other, guarding the borders of their countries, providing peace and security for the two nations.

Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan, welcoming the Primate and the Armenians of Georgia, highlighted the role of the Armenian Church in the life of the Armenian people both in Armenia and Armenian Armed forces, and Diaspora. Minister Sargsyan reflected on the centuries-old Armenian-Georgian close friendly relations, and noted that the two nations and the two countries had never had a serious conflict or disagreement. The Minister highlighted that historically neighboring countries share common values and profess the Christian faith. Armenian Defense Minister referred to prospects for cooperation between the Armenian and Georgian Armed forces and regional security issues.

Armenia's military attaché to Georgia, colonel Samvel Ramazyan, by the decree of Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan, presented freedom fighters of Karabakh War residing in Tbilisi - Stanislav Manukyan, Artur Beglyan and the Director of the Hayartun Center, Levon Chidilyan - with the ''Garegin Nzhdeh'' Medal of the RA Ministry of Defense.

Minister Sargsyan held a question and answer session.

At the end of the meeting, the Armenian Defense Minister extended his congratulations to the Armenian community on the upcoming 2017 New Year.

Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan was accompanied by the First Deputy Minister David Tonoyan, Lieutenant general Enriko Apriamov and other delegation members.