Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On December 21, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the Delegation led by Mrs. Valerie Pecresse, President of the Regional Council of Ile-de-France. 

Welcoming the guests, His Holiness touched upon the strong Armenian-French friendly relations, with gratitude noting, that the French authorities have always shown a caring attitude towards the Armenians who took refuge in France after the Armenian Genocide. On this occasion, His Holiness emphasized that the Armenians in France also bring their great contribution to the strengthening of the Armenian-French friendly ties.

The Armenian Patriarch expressed his gratitude to the French Authorities and people, for their great contribution to the International Recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as for their support to Armenia during the 44-day War and the post-war period; emphasizing the importance of the adoption of the Resolution of the Recognition of the Independence of Artsakh by the Senate of the French Republic.

Introducing the members of the delegation, Mrs. Valerie Pecresse spoke about the relations with the Armenian Community; the vision of cooperation with Armenia in the field of education and culture; emphasizing the importance of the deepening and strengthening of the friendly relations established between the two countries.

During the conversation, a reference was made to the issue of preserving the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage in the territories under the control of Azerbaijan; the restoration of the Armenian Churches damaged during the war; using the mediation efforts of international organizations.