Catholicos of All Armenians Met with the Members of the National Assembly of France
27.10.2020
On October 27, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; hosted the delegation of the Deputies of the National Assembly of France. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the Republic of Armenia Mr. Jonathan Lacote.
At the meeting, His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the French authorities for their support to the Armenian people in these harsh conditions of the unleashed hostilities against Artsakh. The Armenian Patriarch particularly noted with gratitude the consistent efforts of France, as the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country, to resolve the situation around Nagorno -Karabakh and to establish peace.
Reflecting on the Artsakh issue, His Holiness affirmed that in contrast to Azerbaijan's bellicose statements and aspirations to resolve the conflict by military force, Armenia has always expressed readiness to reach a settlement through peaceful negotiations.
At the same time, His Holiness stressed that the policy of eviction of Armenians from Artsakh, the atrocities and the devastation adopted and implemented by Azerbaijan prove that Artsakh can not be part of Azerbaijan under any status.
In this regard, the Catholicos of All Armenians expressed hope that the international community, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries, fully assessing the current situation, will do everything to stop the destructive hostilities, protect the free and independent life of the people of Artsakh, and their right of self-determination.
In response to the deputies' inquiries, His Holiness informed them on the steps taken by the Armenian Church drawing the attention of international community, as well as other programs to support soldiers, wounded, families of fallen Armenians and pastoral care of Artsakh people.
It was also informed on the results of the Armenian Apostolic Church's efforts to restore peace from the first days of the conflict and the results of trilateral meetings of the region's relegious leaders.
