ARF Bureau Meets with Karekin II, ‘Bright Armenia’ Faction

ARF Bureau members with Catholicos Karekin II

YEREVAN—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau, headed by its chairman Hagop Der Khachadourian, held meetings over the weekend with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, as well as representatives of the “Bright Armenia” opposition faction of parliament.

The Bureau delegation went to Etchmiadzin on Saturday, where it was welcomed by Catholicos Karekin II, according to an announcement by the ARF Public Information office.

The meeting with the Catholicos, touched upon issues relating the challenges faced by Armenia, its people and the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as Armenia-Diaspora relations.

The ARF representatives introduced their views and concerns on the aforementioned issues to the Catholicos, expressing readiness to cooperate in the name of national unity.

Der Khachadrouian was joined by fellow Bureau member Arsen Hambadtsumyan and ARF Supreme Council of Armenia chairman Ishkhan Saghatelyan on Monday for the meeting with the “Bright Armenia” parliamentary faction, headed by its chairman Edmon Marukyan, who was accompanied by fellow members of parliament Mane Tandilyan and Gevorg Gorgisyan.

The meeting participants discussed inter-party cooperation opportunities, a number of issues of mutual interest, in particular, the national-state agenda, the Armenia-Diaspora relation, as well as issues relating to the current domestic political situation and forming an Armenia-Artsakh military-political alliance.

An agreement was reached to continue the inter-party contacts, discuss the possibilities of coming up with joint initiatives at highlighted cooperation directions, as well as holding consultations on issues of mutual interest if necessary.