His Holiness Karekin II Receives Foreign Minister of Norway
On October 10, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received Mr. Jan Petersen, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Norway. Accompanying the high-ranking guest and his delegation to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin were Mr. Vladimir Karmirshalian, Ambassador of Armenia to Norway, and Mr. Timothy Straight, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Norway to the Republic of Armenia.
During the meeting, His Holiness and the Foreign Minister discussed the present day opportunities and challenges facing the Armenian Church and Nation. Reflecting on the historic close ties between the two countries, His Holiness expressed the gratitude of Armenians from throughout the world for the assistance and solidarity of the Norwegian state and people during the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 and also following the tragic and devastating earthquake in Northern Armenia of 1988. The Catholicos of All Armenians also extended his appreciation for the continued support of the Norwegian government to the Republic of Armenia in the last ten years following independence.
Mr. Petersen thanked His Holiness for the audience, noting his confidence that his visit to Armenia would foster and encourage the greater strengthening and productivity of ties between Norway and Armenia.
