PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
October 13, 2004
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.
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