CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO COOPERATION BETWEEN
PARLIAMENTS OF ARMENIA AND BELGIUM

ETCHMIADZIN, APRIL 5, NOYAN TAPAN. On April 4, Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians received in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
the delegation headed by Herman De Croo, the Chairman of Chamber of
Representatives of Kingdom of Belgium, paying a two-day official visit
to Armenia. His Holiness, welcoming the high rank guest’s visit to
Holy Etchmiadzin, expressed satisfaction with the friendly relations
formed between the Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of Belgium, in
the strengthening of them marking as important the present cooperation
between the two parliaments. Catholicos of All Armenians acquainted
the Chairman of the Chamber of Representatives with the history of
the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and its historical mission in the
Armenian people’s life. Thanking for warm hospitality, Herman De Croo,
the Chairman of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgian Kingdom,
particularly mentioned in his speech: “We know the importance of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, that, one may say, is the Armenian people’s
soul.” As Noyan Tapan was informed from the Mother See Information
Centre, religious situation present in the two countries, as well
as church-state relations were spoken over at the meeting. Touching
upon that the majority of Belgium’s population is followers of the
Catholic Church, Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his condolence
to the deligation members on the death of Pope John Paul II. Bishop
Paren Avetikian, the Mother See Administrative Business Manager and
Responsible for Museums, and Mher Shahgeldian, the Chairman of the NA
Standing Committee on Defence, National Security and Internal Affairs
were present at the meeting.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress