Catholicos of All Armenians Received Greek and Cyprus Delegations
14.12.2017
On December 14, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received delegations led by Mr. Terence-Nicolas Quiquin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Greece; and Mr. Fotiu Fotis, Commissioner for Humanitarian and Foreign Affairs of the President of Cyprus. They were accompanied by Ms. Hranush Hakobyan, Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia.
Minister Hakobyan presented to His Holiness the purpose of the visit of the Greek and Cyprus delegations to Armenia; highlighting the trilateral cooperation initiated on Diaspora issues which was solidified through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the RA Ministry of Diaspora.
His Holiness greeted the guests' visit to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, noting that the centuries-old established close relations serve as a solid foundation for such cooperation. His Holiness highlighted the care shown to the Armenian and Greek people who have been refugees in different countries due to historical circumstances, which strengthens the ability to overcome the current challenges facing the Diaspora and preserve the national identity.
The Catholicos of All Armenians highlighted the mutual support of the three communities in the Diaspora, to achieve the recognition of injustice against their people throughout history, and international condemnation.
His Holiness highlighted the mission of the churches in consolidation in the Diaspora, referring to the existing friendly relations between the Armenian Apostolic and Greek Orthodox Churches and the close cooperation in different Diaspora communities.
Mr. Terence-Nicolas Quiquin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece; stated that Church and religion are an important bridge for Diaspora unity, highlighting the role of the Church in solving the problems facing the Diaspora.
During the meeting, Mr. Fotiu Fotis conveyed to His Holiness the greetings and best wishes of the President of Cyprus. Mr. Fotis spoke about the Armenian community of Cyprus stressing that it is an important part of Cyprus. He also reflected on Diaspora issues, highlighting the joint efforts of the three countries in overcoming them. He also noted that the Diaspora is a great force and in turn can promote national interests.
Attending the meeting were His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannsiyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentary of the Republic of Greece to the Republic of Armenia Nafsika Nansa Eva Vrila.
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