The Monastery of the Cross in Jerusalem, a Georgian cultural center throughout the Middle Ages, isn't an issue standing between Georgia and Israel, the Georgian foreign minister said Wednesday.

The Israeli foreign ministry had pledged help if Georgia needed, advise or help in its reply to a letter sent by the Georgian side, said Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze.

Built in the 11th century with the support of the Georgian king, the monastery was sold by the Georgians to the Greeks in 1685 due to heavy debts. The monastery is now occupied by monks of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

"This is not the issue to be discussed between the governments of Georgia and Israel, as the Patriarch of Jerusalem is independent," Vashadze said.

The Georgian government is trying to regain control of the monastery, which still houses many Georgian manuscripts and is considered as an important part of the country's history and culture. A special team has been set up and is now seeking cooperation with the Israeli government.

Israel's ambassador to Georgia, Yitzhak Gerber, reportedly said Tuesday that issues concerning the Monastery of the Cross should be solved by the Orthodox churches of Georgia and Greece and that the Israeli government should not be involved.

Vandals in 2004 defaced a fresco of the famous Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli. Georgia officially complained to Israel after the incident.Similar vandalism occurred in the 1970s and 1980s.