CATHOLIKOS OF ALL ARMENIANS: SPIRITUAL LEADERS’ MISSION WILL STRENGTHEN INTERETHNIC COMMUNICATION IN INTERESTS OF ALL MANKIND
Trend
April 26 2010
Azerbaijan
"The principles of humanism are one in all world peoples and spiritual
leaders’ mission is to strengthen interethnic relations in the
interests of all humanity," Catholikos of all Armenians Karekin II
said speaking at the Baku World Religious Leaders’ Summit today.
"Being in Baku, we give praise to the God for that the peace talks
to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continue," Karekin II said.
He also noted the mediation efforts of the Russian Orthodox Church
and Patriarch Cyril in this matter.
"The authorities of our countries [Azerbaijan and Armenia] continue
the negotiation process to resolve the conflict, and the two countries
religious leaders’ duty is to support our presidents’ efforts in a
peaceful settlement," Karekin II added.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the
occupied territories.
Karekin II offered to hold the next summit of world religious leaders
in Armenia, and invited Caucasus Muslims Organization (CMO) head
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade to participate in this meeting.