Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On June 1, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the delegation led by Mr. Guillermo Andrada, Chairman of the Argentina-Armenia Friendship Group of the Argentine Parliament, accompanied by the head of the Armenia-Argentina Friendship Group Mr. Ishkhan Saghatelyan.

The meeting was also attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Argentina to Armenia Mr. Mariano Vergara and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia Mr. Hovhannes Virabyan.

The Catholicos of All Armenians, referring to the relations between the two countries, emphasized that they are characterized by close friendship and Argentina has always supported the Armenian people in difficult situations, especially during the 44-day war in Artsakh. In this regard, His Holiness reflected with gratitude on the statement by the Senate of Argentina condemning the blocking of the Lachine Corridor and calling for an end.

At the meeting, His Holiness referred to the current challenges in the region, the encroachments on Armenia's borders, the humanitarian crisis created in Artsakh, the Armenians who are still in captivity, as well as the problems of preserving the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage in the territories under the control of Azerbaijan.

The Patriarch of All Armenians welcomed the efforts of friendly countries, parliamentarians and statesmen and individuals to protect the just right of Artsakh Armenians to live freely and independently in international courts, expressing confidence that the Armenian people will be able to overcome the existing difficulties and challenges thanks to their Christian faith and optimistic spirit.

The President of the Argentina-Armenia friendship group, Mr. Guillermo Andrada, informed His Holiness that the purpose of their visit is also to get acquainted directly with the situation in Armenia and Artsakh, assuring that they will contribute to the processes of establishing peace and stability in the region within the framework of their powers.

During the conversation, a reference was also made to the efforts made by Sister Churches and inter-church organizations in the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and overcoming the existing challenges.