RELIGIOUS LEADERS SUPPORT EFFORTS TO SOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT PEACEFULLY

news.az
April 26 2010
Azerbaijan

A joint declaration by results of a trilateral meeting between
Allahshukur Pashazade, Patriarch Cyril and Karekin II has been issued.

We, the spiritual leaders of the Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples with
high mediation of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Cyril, met in
Baku to show our respect to each other and to discuss urgent measures
to achieve a just peace and harmony among our peoples and states.

The statement is contained in a joint declaration signed by results
of the trilateral meeting of Head of Caucasus Muslims Department,
Sheikh ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade, Patriarch of Moscow and
All Russia Cyril and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II..

"It is encouraging to evidence that the tradition of meetings of the
format of this kind has contributed to the cessation of armed stage
of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. We believe that our joint
efforts will help overcome inter-ethnic hostility. It is vital to
prevent a return to military ways to resolve contentious issues ",
the document says.

Sheikh-ul-Islam, Patriarch and Catholicos expressed their support
for international efforts to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the efforts of the presidents of
Azerbaijan and Armenia and also stressed the readiness to promote
the aspirations of the heads of two states in this regard.

"In this regard, we consider it important to continue direct dialogue
between religious leaders to help resolve the conflict, which will
enable people to return to the place whence they were driven out
by war.

We welcome the acts of goodwill of the parties – the release of
prisoners, and call for both political and religious leaders to
intensify efforts in this process. We condemn the acts of vandalism
and consider it important to preserve religious monuments and temples
of our peoples.

The responsibility and duty before God, before our people impel us
to the efforts for the sake of the long-awaited triumph of the ideals
of peace, kindness and fair resolution of existing problems. Let the
blessed land of the Caucasus have a lasting and just peace, and our
people inherit the welfare and prosperity ", stated in a declaration
adopted on the basis of a trilateral meeting between Sheikh ul-Islam
Allahshukur Pashazade, Patriarch Cyril and Catholicos Karekin ll in
line with the legislation of Azerbaijan .

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress