Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received Peter Van Dalen, Member of the European Parliament, co-founder of the European Parliament-Artsakh friendship group, and the delegation led by him, accompanied by Chairman of the Hay Dat/Armenian Cause Office of Europe Gaspar Karapetian, on November 1 at the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin.
At the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians emphasized that the visit of MEPs to Armenia takes place in a difficult situation for the Armenian people, when the country faces many post-war challenges and security issues. His Holiness attached importance to such visits, which aim to strengthen the cooperation between the European Parliament and Armenia, aimed at overcoming the existing challenges.
Referring to the military operations unleashed by Azerbaijan against Armenia on September 13-14, the Armenian Patriarch noted with regret that the Armenian side suffered great human and territorial losses. The Catholicos of All Armenians emphasized the support of the international community in terms of the condemnation and prevention of Azerbaijan's belligerent policy, expressing hope that friendly countries, international structures, including the European Parliament, will express a clear position and take steps to curb the expansionist ambitions of Azerbaijan, which destabilize the region, and for the free and safe life of the people of Artsakh. in the direction of returning the prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan to this day.
The MEPs expressed readiness to support in raising and overcoming the mentioned issues.
During the conversation, the facts of the destruction and appropriation of the Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh in the territories that have passed under the control of Azerbaijan were also touched upon.
