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
September 1, 2005

His Holiness Karekin II Receives Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs

On August 31, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of
All Armenians, received Rafael Antonio Bielsa, Minister of Foreign affairs,
International Trade and Worship for the Republic of Argentina. Mr. Bielsa’s
delegation was accompanied by Arman Kirakosian, Deputy Foreign Minister of
Armenia and Ara Ayvazian, Ambassador of Armenia to Argentina. Also in the
delegation were devoted members of the Armenian Church and benefactors
Eduardo Ernekian and Leon Carlos Arslanian.

His Holiness welcomed the Minister to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and
gladly recalled his meeting with Mr. Bielsa in Buenos Aires in 2004 during a
Pontifical Visit to South America. The Catholicos of All Armenians
requested that the Minister please transmit his personal appreciation and
blessings to the President of Argentina and all state officials for the
respect and care they demonstrate toward the Armenian community in
Argentina. His Holiness also expressed his pleasure at seeing two Armenian
benefactor sons of the Church among the delegation from Argentina, each who
has made significant contributions to the development and progress of
Armenian life.

The Pontiff of All Armenians offered his words of gratitude to the Argentine
people and state for their recognition and condemnation of the Armenian
Genocide. He stated, “Argentina occupies a special place within our hearts
and the hearts of all Armenians. We have a large and vibrant Armenian
community there, who have earned the respect and admiration of their fellow
Argentine countrymen. Argentina is also one of the growing number of
countries that has recognized and strongly condemned the Genocide of the
Armenians as the greatest of crimes against mankind, and for this, our
nation appreciates the courageous spirit of Argentina, her faithful people
and her dedicated government officials.”

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