Pope tells Armenian leader he hopes for lasting peace in Karabakh

Mediamax news agency
28 Jan 05

YEREVAN

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan met the head of the Roman Catholic
Church, John Paul II, in the Vatican today.

Greeting the Armenian president, John Paul II recalled with warmth his
visit to Armenia in September 2001 on the occasion of the 1700th
anniversary of proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in
Armenia, Mediamax’s special correspondent reports from the Vatican.

“I would like to take the opportunity to express my hearty greetings
to all the people in Armenia as well as millions of Armenians who are
dispersed all over the world but who have not lost links with its
culture and Christian traditions,” John Paul II said.

“With all my heart I want to express my best wishes as regards the
establishment of a real lasting peace in your, Mr President, smaller
homeland, in Nagornyy Karabakh. This may lead to the final rejection
of violence and to the establishment of a dialogue between the
interested parties based on tolerance assisted by active international
mediation,” the head of the Roman Catholic Church said.

John Paul II stressed that “relations based on mutual respect and
friendship have been established between the Catholic and Armenian
Apostolic churches”.

“I think that our mutual desire is the development of a closer
cooperation between the Holy See and the Armenian government within
the framework of which it will become possible to decide on necessary
changes aimed at improving the status of the Catholic Church,” John
Paul II said.