PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
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June 26, 2006
His Holiness Karekin II Meets Governor of Istanbul
On June 23, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, visited Mr. Muammer Güler, Governor of Istanbul, at the
governor’s office. His Holiness was accompanied by His Beatitude Archbishop
Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople; His Eminence
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern); Mr. Karen Mirzoyan, Representative of the Republic of
Armenia in Turkey; and Mr. Bedros Shirinoghlu, Chairman of the Pontifical
Visit Committee.
The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his happiness to be in Istanbul
through the joint invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Armenian
Patriarch of Constantinople, and noted his pleasure to have the opportunity
to closely know the Armenian community of Istanbul.
In his remarks, His Holiness Karekin II stated his awareness of the
achievements of the Armenian community of Istanbul in its national and
spiritual life. His Holiness also noted that there are certain issues which
exist in the Armenian community related to properties and educational
matters, and expressed his hope that they will find their positive
solutions.
Governor Güler welcomed the visit of the Pontiff of All Armenians to
Istanbul, and conveyed his hope that the relations between the Armenian and
Turkish peoples will improve.
At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness Karekin II, reflecting on the
relations between the two peoples, confirmed that the Armenian people have
the same desires to see them improved and stressed his conviction that
relations will progress based on the principles of justice.
During the meeting, they also discussed matters related to the Pontifical
Visit of the Catholicos of All Armenians and the activities of the
governor’s office.