CHURCH SUPPORTS

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10:48:50 – 01/10/2009

Supreme Spiritual Council Meeting Statement Regarding the Process to
Normalize Armenian-Turkish Relations

On September 30, the Supreme Spiritual Council convened a meeting
in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the presidency of
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians. Following discussion on the process aimed at normalizing
Armenian-Turkish relations and the associated ongoing discussions,
the Supreme Spiritual Council made the following statement:

The Supreme Spiritual Council welcomes the process to establish
diplomatic ties free of preconditions between Armenia and Turkey and
the process to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations, for the sake
of regional security, preservation of peace and the development of
regional cooperation.

The Supreme Spiritual Council positively assesses the pan-Armenian
discussions currently taking place surrounding this process.

The Supreme Spiritual Council considers as natural and understandable
the concerns of Armenians living in Armenia, Artsakh and the
Diaspora, within the context of the bitter historical experience
of our people with Turkey, Turkey’s official policy of denying the
Armenian Genocide, Turkey’s intolerant position expressed toward the
Republic of Armenia, as well as the formulations contained in the
yet to be signed protocols regarding Armenian-Turkish relations that
have caused various interpretations, and the unacceptable statements
coming from the Turkish side associated with this process. In this
regard, the Supreme Spiritual Council reconfirms that the Armenian
Genocide is an indisputable fact, as is the right to independence
for the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh and the self-determination of
the Armenians of Artsakh. Our people and authorities shall never
abdicate the pursuit and defense of our just national rights.

The Supreme Spiritual Council exhorts all sons and daughters of our
nation to show utmost vigilance and reason to avoid nation-damaging
polarization, and united together, to face the challenges before
our people.

The Supreme Spiritual Council appeals for the assistance of our Lord
Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the authorities of
the Republic of Armenia, so that they lead the process of normalizing
Armenian-Turkish relations to a successful conclusion, for the sake
of our people’s cherished and vital interests.