Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On April 25, in the Pontifical Residence, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received Mr. Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate of the French Republic and his Delegation, accompanied by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the Republic of Armenia Mr. Jonathan Lacote. Welcoming the visit of the President of the Senate Mr. Larcher and the senators to Armenia, and the spiritual center of all Armenians; the Pontiff of All Armenians reflected with gratitude on the centuries-old friendship between the two nations; as a testimony of which, mentioning the support provided by France to many Armenians who survived the Genocide during the years of the Armenian Genocide. In this regard, His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the President of the Senate and the members of the delegation for their contribution to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. On behalf of the Armenian people, His Holiness also expressed his gratitude to the representatives of the Senate for the efforts of the French Republic in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, within the frameworks of the Co-Chair country of the OSCE Minsk Group. The Armenian Patriarch emphasized, that despite all this; Azerbaijan, with the support of Turkey and international terrorist groups, unleashed a war, which had catastrophic consequences. His Holiness noted that the Armenian people experienced the grief of the Genocide in a new way, after the Second War of Artsakh, bearing the pain of the loss of the martyred Armenian sons in their hearts. The Catholicos of All Armenians affirmed with concern, that even today, in the post-war period, the Azerbaijani side acts aggressively, continuing its rhetoric of threats, endangering the fragile peace in the region. In the settlement of the Artsakh issue and overcoming the existing consequences, His Holiness emphasized the importance of the assistance of the international community and the Minsk Group Co-Chair countries. During the conversation, the violation of the agreements reached by a joint statement by Azerbaijan, in particular, the issue of the return of the captive servicemen and civilians, was discussed. In his turn, the President of the Senate Mr. Larcher, reflecting on the recent visit, noted that their goal is to express solidarity with Armenia. Speaking about the Armenians who took refuge in France after the Genocide, Mr. Larcher expressed his gratitude for their great contribution to overcoming the difficult times for France. In the conclusion of his speech, Mr. Gerard Larcher stressed that they are committed to the initiative of French President Jacques Chirac in the recognition of the Armenian Genocide twenty years ago. At the end of the meeting, the Delegation of the French Senate visited the museums of the Mother See, then attended the Divine Liturgy in St. Gayane Monastery.