SPIRITUAL LEADERS OF AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA, AND RUSSIA SUPPORT EFFORTS OF SECULAR AUTHORITIES ON KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

Interfax
April 26 2010
Russia

Baku, April 26, Interfax – A declaration was signed at the end of
a Monday meeting between Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia,
leader of Azeri Muslims Allahshukyur Pasha-zade and Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II on the sidelines of the World Religions Summit
in Baku.

"I believe that the provisions of the declaration are very important.

I hope that the spirit of the declaration will influence specifically
the atmosphere of the political talks," Patriarch Kirill told the
press after the meeting.

In the declaration the religious leaders welcome "acts of goodwill of
each side and the release of POWs" and call on political and religious
figures "to intensify efforts in this noble and humane process."

"We denounce acts of vandalism and find it important to preserve
the religious monuments and sacred places of our peoples," the
declaration says.

"By supporting the efforts of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
we intend to promote their aspirations. In this context we find it
important that a direct discussion would continue between spiritual
leaders with the purpose of assisting the settlement of the conflict
which would permit people to return to places from which they had
been driven by war," the declaration says.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress