Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On February 26, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; hosted the Delegation led by Mr. Stéphane Dion, Special Envoy of Canada to the European Union and Europe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Reflecting on the Armenian-Canadian friendly relations, His Holiness expressed his gratitude to the Canadian Authorities for their efforts in Recognizing and Condemning the Armenian Genocide, as well as in the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Armenian Pontiff, reflecting on the 44-day war, stressed that during and after the hostilities, the Azerbaijani side continues the encroachments on the historical, spiritual and cultural monuments of Artsakh. In this regard, His Holiness expressed hope that Canada will make efforts on international platforms to preserve the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage under the control of Azerbaijan.

In turn, Mr. Stéphane Dion, Special Envoy to the European Union, expressing gratitude to His Holiness for the warm reception, inquired about the programs of the Mother See aimed at preserving the spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh. In this regard, the Catholicos of All Armenians provided the Ambassador with information on the activities of the Office for the Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of Artsakh established in the Mother See.

In the conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians, conveying his Blessings to the Ambassador, wished him a productive mission.