CATHOLICOS KAREKIN II IS ON A VISIT TO BAKU

Aysor
April 26 2010
Armenia

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II is on his first-ever visit to
Azerbaijan today to take part in the Second Summit of World Religious
Leaders, which gathered together nearly 150 leaders from more than
35 countries.

The Summit is taking place in Azerbaijani capital of Baku and is
organised by joint initiative of Azerbaijan’s longtime Shi’a Muslim
leader, Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, and Russian Orthodox
Church leader Patriarch Kirill. The first summit was held in Moscow
in 2006.

It’s worth mentioning that heads of churches referred to some regional
processed, in particular, they discussed the Karabakh conflict.

"There has been progress in resolving the Karabakh problem in recent
years," Patriarch Kirill said. He welcomed efforts by the Azerbaijani
and Armenian leaders to solve the conflict. "We are not political
leaders, but we are bound to support this process and to encourage
goodwill and intentions by statesmen," The Patriarch said.

"I believe that this meeting is just the beginning and I hope for
a peaceful solution of all Caucasian problems, including a fair
settlement of the Karabakh conflict," Allahshukur Pashazade said.

Karekin II thanked Allahshukur Pashazade for inviting him to Baku.

"Being religious leaders, we are destined to seed peace and kindness.

We have been trying to restore peace in Karabakh since the very first
day of the conflict," Karekin II said.