The Catholicos of All Armenians Received the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary
27.10.2023
On October 27, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Mr. Peter Szijjártó.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Hungary Mr. Ashot Smbatyan; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to the Republic of Armenia Mrs. Anna Maria Shiko and State Secretary of Hungary's "Help and Hungarian Support Program for Persecuted Christians" Tristan Azbey were also present at the meeting.
His Holiness, welcoming the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, referred to the restoration of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Hungary. The Armenian Patriarch noted that the Minister's visit to Armenia will definitely contribute to the further development and rapprochement of Armenian-Hungarian ties and interaction.
During the conversation, the Catholicos of All Armenians concernedly referred to Azerbaijan's expansionist policy and the security challenges facing Armenia, noting the need for clear and consistent steps by the international community to curb Azerbaijan's uncontrollable aggressive aspirations.
On behalf of the Minister, the Armenian Patriarch expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Hungarian government, for the repatriation of five Armenian captives of war in 2021, as well as for the support and assistance shown towards the Christian communities in the countries of the Middle East, the Armenian Church and to Armenia and the depatriated Artsakh Armenians in these difficult days.
In his remarks, the Armenian Patriarch also referred to the problems of the return of captives and preservation of Artsakh's spiritual and cultural heritage.
In turn, Minister Peter Szijjártó valued the role of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in restoring diplomatic ties between Armenia and Hungary.
The Minister emphasized that the Armenian and Hungarian peoples have a universal Christian value system, which is an important basis for further strengthening and development of relations.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary also emphasized that Hungary is ready to implement various programs to support displaced Artsakh citizens, as well as to take consistent steps in the direction of preserving Artsakh's spiritual and cultural heritage.
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