 ETCHMIADZIN
(A1plus)—His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II convened a special
meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Holy Sea of
Etchmian on Wednesday where he issued an announcement on the
ongoing Turkey-Armenia normalization process and the two
protocols that will establish diplomatic relations between the
two countries.Below are his remarks:
The Supreme Spiritual Council welcomes the process to
establish diplomatic ties free of preconditions between Armenia
and Turkey and the process to normalize Armenian-Turkish
relations, for the sake of regional security, preservation of
peace and the development of regional cooperation.
The Supreme Spiritual Council positively assesses the
pan-Armenian discussions currently taking place surrounding this
process.
The Supreme Spiritual Council considers as natural and
understandable the concerns of Armenians living in Armenia,
Artsakh and the Diaspora, within the context of the bitter
historical experience of our people with Turkey, Turkey’s
official policy of denying the Armenian Genocide, Turkey’s
intolerant position expressed toward the Republic of Armenia, as
well as the formulations contained in the yet to be signed
protocols regarding Armenian-Turkish relations that have caused
various interpretations, and the unacceptable statements coming
from the Turkish side associated with this process.
In this regard, the Supreme Spiritual Council reconfirms that
the Armenian Genocide is an indisputable fact, as is the right
to independence for the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and the
self-determination of the Armenians of Artsakh. Our people and
authorities shall never abdicate the pursuit and defense of our
just national rights.
The Supreme Spiritual Council exhorts all sons and daughters
of our nation to show utmost vigilance and reason to avoid
nation-damaging polarization, and united together, to face the
challenges before our people.
The Supreme Spiritual Council appeals for the assistance of
our Lord Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit for
the authorities of the Republic of Armenia, so that they lead
the process of normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations to a
successful conclusion, for the sake of our people’s cherished
and vital interests.
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