Meetings of Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See in Yerevan

08 December, 2020

President of the Republic Armen Sarkissian received the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See, Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt (residence in Tbilisi).

They spoke about the relations between Armenia and the Holy See, and more profound cooperation, based on historical ties, common cultural and spiritual heritage.

The Nuncio of the Holy See noted that he was in Armenia as a representative of His Holiness the Pope and a friend of the country. He expressed his condolences to the President of the Republic in connection with the human losses suffered during the war, noting that Pope Francis, who has special relations with Armenia and the Armenians, stressed the need to achieve peace from the very first days of the war.

At the meeting, they also exchanged thoughts on the post-war situation in Armenia and Artsakh, in particular, the preservation of the Armenian spiritual, historical and cultural heritage, and a number of other issues. On behalf of the Holy See, the Nuncio expressed his readiness to help preserve this heritage.

President Sarkissian and Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt also touched upon the issue of returning prisoners and hostages. The President of the Republic welcomed any efforts in this direction and noted that he had addressed a letter to the President of the Russian Federation, so that he, as a mediator, would help in solving the problem, and also repeatedly raised the issue of unconditional observance of humanitarian law and the immediate return of captured Armenian soldiers and civilians. He stressed that he would continue to make efforts in this direction and use all opportunities.

The same day Archbishop José Bettencourt had a working meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Avet Adonts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. The interlocutors discussed the humanitarian situation created by the war against Artsakh, issues related to the return of prisoners of war, protection of Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage in the region, and geopolitical consequences of the conflict.

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