PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 10) 517 163
Fax: (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail: ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
August 24, 2005

HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE (PACE)

On August 18, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians received René van Der Linden, President of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), in the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Mr. van Der Linden was accompanied by the
Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia,
Tigran Torosian.

Welcoming the honored guest to the headquarters of the Armenian
Church, His Holiness reflected on the sacred mission of the Church
and the Mother See in the life of the Armenian people. His Holiness
expressed his appreciation to the PACE president for the assistance and
efforts being invested by the Council of Europe aimed at strengthening
democratic values in the newly independent Republic of Armenia and
its future successful integration into the European Union.

His Holiness, stressing the importance of solving the Nagorno
Karabagh conflict only through peaceful means, stated: “We are
hopeful that through the assistance of the Council of Europe, we will
be able to make unavoidable and inevitable the peaceful settlements
of the conflicts in this region, and through dialogue and mutual
understanding, thus secure a just and lawful solution specifically
to the Karabagh conflict which continues to concern us.”

President van Der Linden expressed his gratitude for the warm reception
granted by the Pontiff of All Armenians, and stated his conviction
that this meeting was especially important for him. Mr. van Der Linden
reflected on the democratic values and the protection of human rights
which form the core of the Parliamentary Assembly, noting that the
role of Churches and religions in these spheres was vital, and that
through inter-Church and inter-faith dialogue, society would greatly
benefit from their contributions and moral positions.

Also present in the meeting was His Grace Bishop Vasken Mirzakhanian,
Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia.

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