His Holiness Karekin II Receives Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs
On August 31, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received Rafael Antonio Bielsa, Minister of Foreign affairs, International Trade and Worship for the Republic of Argentina. Mr. Bielsa's delegation was accompanied by Arman Kirakosian, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia and Ara Ayvazian, Ambassador of Armenia to Argentina. Also in the delegation were devoted members of the Armenian Church and benefactors Eduardo Ernekian and Leon Carlos Arslanian.
His Holiness welcomed the Minister to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and gladly recalled his meeting with Mr. Bielsa in Buenos Aires in 2004 during a Pontifical Visit to South America. The Catholicos of All Armenians requested that the Minister please transmit his personal appreciation and blessings to the President of Argentina and all state officials for the respect and care they demonstrate toward the Armenian community in Argentina. His Holiness also expressed his pleasure at seeing two Armenian benefactor sons of the Church among the delegation from Argentina, each who has made significant contributions to the development and progress of Armenian life.
The Pontiff of All Armenians offered his words of gratitude to the Argentine people and state for their recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. He stated, "Argentina occupies a special place within our hearts and the hearts of all Armenians. We have a large and vibrant Armenian community there, who have earned the respect and admiration of their fellow Argentine countrymen. Argentina is also one of the growing number of countries that has recognized and strongly condemned the Genocide of the Armenians as the greatest of crimes against mankind, and for this, our nation appreciates the courageous spirit of Argentina, her faithful people and her dedicated government officials."
