Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On September 23, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the delegation led by the head of the Belgium-Armenia Friendship Group of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Belgium Mr. Mark Demesmeker, accompanied by the head of the Armenia-Belgium Friendship Group Mr. Armen Rustamyan.

Welcoming the parliamentary delegation, the Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom of Belgium for the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, as well as for the support shown to Armenia and the Armenian people in these difficult days.

Referring to the 44-day war and the military operations unleashed by Azerbaijan on September 13, His Holiness noted that as a result of all this, the Armenian people suffered territorial and human losses, a displaced population and prisoners who are still being held in Azerbaijan. His Holiness addressed with concern the facts of the destruction and usurpation of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage in the territories under the control of Azerbaijan. The Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed information about the works carried out by the Office of Artsakh's spiritual and cultural heritage of the Mother See in the direction of the protection of holy places.

The Armenian Patriarch emphasized the clear position of the international community and friendly countries, as a result of which it will be possible to restrain the ongoing aggression and expansionist policy of Azerbaijan.

In turn, Mr. Mark Demesmeker noted that Armenia and Belgium, being Christian countries, have the same value system, which further strengthens the friendship of the two countries. Mr. Demesmeker expressed his concerns about the situation in the region, confirming that Belgium is also taking measures to establish peace and stability.

The interaction of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the Sister Churches aimed at establishing peace and humanitarian programs was also discussed at the meeting.