PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
Website: 
August 21, 2008

His Holiness Karekin II receives President
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

On July 24, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Catholicos of All Armenians,
received Lluis Maria de Puig, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE).

His Holiness welcomed the visit of President Puig to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and wished him success in his mission.  The PACE president
introduced His Holiness to the goals of his visit to Armenia and
specifically highlighted the role of the Armenian Catholicos in the
establishment of stability and peace in the region.

During their conversation, the discussion also focused on the current
political situation in the country, and the importance of easing the level
of public tension as part of ongoing developments.  The Catholicos of All
Armenians stressed that the representatives and followers of the authorities
and the opposition are all sons and daughters of the Armenian Church and
that the Church hierarchy is concerned with the welfare and life of every
Armenian, in the homeland and throughout the Diaspora.

The Catholicos and the PACE president also discussed the current status of
the Karabagh conflict, and His Holiness expressed his deep concern over the
aggressive and bellicose statements made by the authorities of Azerbaijan,
even at times by the spiritual leader of the Muslims of the Caucasus, which
have become increasingly alarming and more frequent.  Finally, the Pontiff
of the Armenians conveyed his amazement at the lack of international outrage
regarding the vandalism and obvious state policy of destruction directed at
Armenian cultural and spiritual monuments on the territory of Azerbaijan,
especially in light of the overwhelming evidence of the barbaric and
complete elimination of thousands of khatchkars (stone-crosses) in
Nakhijevan.

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