Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On April 24, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the delegation led by Mr. Bruno Retailleau, the founder and Chairman of the group on Nagorno Karabakh in the French Senate, and the Chairman of the contact group on Eastern Christians.

Welcoming the guests, His Holiness emphasized that the delegation's visit to Armenia and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the best evidence of Armenian-French friendship. His Holiness expressed his gratitude to the French Senate for the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the adoption of the resolution on the independence of Artsakh.

Referring to the difficult situation in the region, the Armenian Patriarch expressed concern about the ongoing harrassements by Azerbaijan against the Armenians of Artsakh and the sovereign territories of Armenia. In this regard, His Holiness noted the importance of the consistent efforts of the international community to prevent the sizeist policy adopted by Azerbaijan.

The Catholicos of All Armenians also expressed his gratitude to the French authorities for the support and assistance shown towards Armenia and the Armenian people during the 44-day Artsakh war and in the post-war period.

In his turn, the head of the French Senate delegation, Mr. Bruno Retailleau, emphasized that he will make efforts to raise the demand of the Artsakh Armenians' right to live freely and independently in international courts. On this occasion, the head of the delegation informed the Armenian Patriarch that a committee on the Artsakh issue was established in the French Senate, the purpose of which is to support and assist the Artsakh Armenians.

During the conversation, issues were discussed related to the return of captives, blocking of the Lachin Corridor, preservation of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage passed under the control of Azerbaijan.