Catholicos Aram I Leads Fifth Online Consultation, Addressing Critical Issues for Artsakh Armenians

OCP News Service – 15/12/2023

Antelias – Lebanon: His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the fifth online consultation on December 7th, 2023, uniting experts to delve into pressing matters for the Armenians of Artsakh.

In attendance were Prof. Ashod Melkonian, Prof. Rupen Safrasdian, Dr. Armen Maroukian, Dr. Vahram Palayan, Dr. Vicken Cheterian, Dr. Khatchig Der Ghougasian, Mr. Shahan Kandaharian, and Aharon Shekherdemian serving as the secretary.

The session commenced with His Holiness providing a brief overview of his recent discussions with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives and congressmen. In these meetings, the focus centered on ensuring the collective return of Artsakh Armenians, emphasizing the necessity for international security guarantees associated with the return, and addressing broader principles concerning the protection of the rights of the people of Artsakh.

The second part of the session was dedicated to consultations conducted by individuals working in Artsakh state institutions located in Armenia.

Subsequently, discussions unfolded in light of recent geopolitical and regional events, including statements from the head of the European and Eurasian Department of the US Department of State, his visit to Baku, the latest remarks of the President of Azerbaijan, and the unexpected announcement of early presidential elections in Azerbaijan.

The meeting also included discussions regarding the preservation of spiritual heritage in Artsakh, the exchange of prisoners of war, and the legal and political measures for securing the release of political prisoners who are unlawfully held hostage in Azerbaijan.

His Holiness emphasized the necessity to develop the topics of the pan-Armenian agenda, stressing the importance of coordinated efforts in the spiritual, political, diplomatic, legal, and informational realms in light of the new situation in Artsakh.

The next online session is scheduled for Monday, December 11^th, 2023.

Source:
OCP News Service and armenianorthodoxchurch.org