Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On August 18, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received Renй van Der Linden, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Mr. van Der Linden was accompanied by the Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, Tigran Torosian. 

Welcoming the honored guest to the headquarters of the Armenian Church, His Holiness reflected on the sacred mission of the Church and the Mother See in the life of the Armenian people. His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the PACE president for the assistance and efforts being invested by the Council of Europe aimed at strengthening democratic values in the newly independent Republic of Armenia and its future successful integration into the European Union. 

His Holiness, stressing the importance of solving the Nagorno Karabagh conflict only through peaceful means, stated: "We are hopeful that through the assistance of the Council of Europe, we will be able to make unavoidable and inevitable the peaceful settlements of the conflicts in this region, and through dialogue and mutual understanding, thus secure a just and lawful solution specifically to the Karabagh conflict which continues to concern us." 

President van Der Linden expressed his gratitude for the warm reception granted by the Pontiff of All Armenians, and stated his conviction that this meeting was especially important for him. Mr. van Der Linden reflected on the democratic values and the protection of human rights which form the core of the Parliamentary Assembly, noting that the role of Churches and religions in these spheres was vital, and that through inter-Church and inter-faith dialogue, society would greatly benefit from their contributions and moral positions. 

Also present in the meeting was His Grace Bishop Vasken Mirzakhanian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia.