SERZH SARGSYAN: DESTRUCTION OF HISTORIC AND RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS UNDER THE COVER OF THE CONFLICT IS UNACCEPTABLE
Karen Ghazaryan

"Radiolur"
28.11.2011 17:45

Sitting of the Presidium of the CIS Inter-Religious Council, featuring
the leaders and representatives of the traditional religions of the
CIS, kicked off in Yerevan today.

Speaking at the sitting, President Serzh Sargsyan referred to the
role of the church in the history of the Armenian people.

"The CIS Inter-Religious Council is a unique collective force, which
symbolizes the power of peaceful co-existence of different religions,
their tolerance and reciprocal respect for each other," President
Sargsyan said.

"The President said "Armenia has made a historic and irreversible
decision to develop in the spirit of cooperation with its neighbors,
friends and all humanity. We consider that all issues should be solved
through negotiations and cooperation, not threats and increase of
tension. We have always been ready to offer our friendship even
not being sure we would get a positive response. No doubt, the
disappointment after such a serious decision can be despairing,"
President Sargsyan stated.

"You know that the conflict of Nagorno Karabakh is our great pain. The
only realistic way is the negotiation process within the framework of
the OSCE Minsk Group. Armenia will steadily move along that path,
since the alternative to it will not benefit either us, or the
neighboring nation," Serzh Sargsyan said.

According to the President, the negotiations on such a serious and
complex issue require patience and adherence to principles.

"The conflict is not a religious one, and all attempts to ascribe a
religious nature to it are unconstructive. The two great religions -
Christianity and Islam - should not be allowed to confront each other.

Moreover, we consider that the destruction of historic and religious
monuments under the cover of the conflict is unacceptable," President
Sargsyan stated.

The President welcomed the dialogue between the Catholicos of All
Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, and the Leader of Caucasian
Muslims Allahshuqyur Pashazade with the mediation of Patriarch Kirill
of Moscow and All Russia.

Leader of Caucasian Muslims Allahshuqyur Pashazade noted in his speech
that "the dialogue should continue, although the efforts of the OSCE
Minsk Group have not produced results."

"The efforts towards peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict
should continue both on regional and international levels. We
fully support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and
the Presidents of our countries in that direction," Sheikh-Ul-Islam
Allahshuqyur Pashazade stated.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia is confident that the
meeting of the religious leaders will reinforce the friendly ties
between members of the Inter-Religious Council.