Karekin II touches upon Karabakh issue in Baku
On April 26, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, accompanied by members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, to participate in the World Summit of Religious Leaders, being held April 26-27, 2010. The summit is dedicated to the issues of globalization and their impact on religious and traditional values. 300 religious leaders from 40 countries are in attendance.
His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of the Inter Church Relations Department of the Mother See, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukian, Office Director of the Inter Church Relations Department and Rev. Fr. Vahram Melikian, Director of the Information Services Department of the Mother See accompanied His Holiness to Baku.
Upon arrival, His Holiness and the delegation traveled to the Gulustan Palace where the opening ceremony of World Summit was held. The morning session was opened by Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Grand Mufti of the Muslims of the Caucasus, and attended by Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan. During the opening, the Armenian Pontiff delivered his remarks to those in attendance.
Greeting the participants on behalf of the Armenian Church and the worldwide Armenian nation, His Holiness wished the participants of the summit success in their work.
When all closed borders in the region will be open...
His Holiness Karekin II
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians addressed a message to the
World Summit of Religious Leaders
Among other issues, he also referred to the Karabakh conflict settlement highlighting its peaceful resolution.
"As we are in Baku, we offer praise and thanks to God today, for the continued efforts to solve the Karabagh conflict through peaceful means. In this respect, it is necessary to note with importance and appreciation the conscientious efforts of the countries that Co-Chair the OSCE Minsk Group.
We also reflect with gratitude on the mediation efforts invested by the Russian Orthodox Church from the very beginning to find a solution to the problem. The authorities of our countries, at the highest level of the presidents of the republics, similarly continue the process of negotiations. We are also pleased that there are ties and dialogue among the representatives of civil society and non-governmental organizations of our two countries, in the context of which joint film productions and youth and sports programs are taking place.
We are hopeful that these efforts shall continue, so that the final resolution of the problem be found exclusively through peaceful means, to decide the difficult issues according to international laws and standards and corresponding to the rights of the people.
We, as Pontiff of All Armenians, place importance on the continuation of our efforts and work with the Grand Mufti of the Muslims of the Caucasus, Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, aimed at the resolution of this issue. It is our responsibility to exhort our peoples, to assist the presidents of our countries to continue peacefully toward the solution of the problems and final resolution of the issue.
We remain hopeful that common efforts to overcome the present challenges and the securing of a peaceful and creative life in the Caucasus region will be crowned with the desired success, and the harmonious life and experience of cooperation between the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples will once again sprout with seedlings of peace. We pray to see that beautiful day, when all closed borders in the region will be open, and the travel of peoples, free; just as in the past when we had the opportunity to visit Baku and provide service for a short period of time to our Armenian church there. Let us remain faithful to the commandment of Christ's apostle, which is also a call directed to all humanity: "Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you." II Corinthians 13:11.
Offering our prayers for peace and welfare in the lives of all peoples, we once again welcome the convening of this summit and wish success to its work.
It is with love that we extend an invitation to convene the next World Summit of Religious Leaders in Armenia, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Conveying our respect and thanks once again, we invite His Excellency Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, the Grand Mufti of the Muslims of the Caucasus, to visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
May the blessings of the Most High God protect the world, and may heavenly wisdom illuminate us - the religious and political leaders of the world - to continue toward the blessed shelters of peace, goodness and virtue.
