Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On February 15, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the delegation led by Sir John Whittingdale, a member of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom Parliament.

Mr. Varuzhan Nersesyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was also attending the meeting.

At the meeting, the Armenian Patriarch referred to the security issues facing Armenia, the issues of protection of the rights of forcibly displaced Armenians from Artsakh, the return of captives and the undisturbed preservation of Artsakh's spiritual and cultural heritage.

His Holiness noted with pain that, contrary to the negotiation process, Azerbaijan's encroachments on the sovereign territories of Armenia continue, provocative actions take place on the border, as a result of which brave Armenians are killed and wounded. In the current situation, the Armenian Patriarch emphasized the importance of the international community's objective efforts to stop Azerbaijan's belligerent and expansionist ambitions.

The Catholicos of All Armenians also expressed his appreciation to those present for their attention to the issues of Armenia and their support in protecting the rights of forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians.

In turn, Sir John Whittingdale informed His Holiness Karekin II about the delegation's visit to Jermuk and the impressions of the meeting with the families of those forcibly displaced from Artsakh, he reflected on the challenges facing the Armenian people.

At the conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians answered the questions of the attendees, which were related to the preservation of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh, the relationship between the Armenian Apostolic and Sister Churches, as well as the activities of the Armenian Church in various fields.