Catholicos Karekin II Received Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary

OCP News Service – 02/06/2023

Yerevan-Armenia: H.H. Karekin the Second Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians received Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen and his delegation at Holy Etchmiadzin on June 01, 2023.  During the conversation, referring to the restoration of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Hungary, His Holiness expressed hope that necessary steps will be taken to make Armenian-Hungarian relations and cooperation more effective.

The Catholicos of All Armenians, on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister, expressed his gratitude to the Hungarian authorities for the support shown towards the Armenian community, as well as for the support to the Christian communities in the Middle East countries.

At the meeting, the Armenian Patriarch referred with concern to the continuous encroachments by Azerbaijan on the sovereign territories of Armenia and the people of Artsakh, emphasizing the need for consistent steps by international institutions aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region. In this regard, His Holiness expressed his gratitude to the Hungarian authorities for the mediation efforts invested in the repatriation of five Armenian captives of war.

In turn, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen spoke about the importance of restoring Armenian-Hungarian diplomatic ties. The Deputy Prime Minister assured the Armenian Patriarch that the Hungarian authorities will continue their assistance to the Armenian community and the Armenian Church in Hungary, as well as to the Christian communities in the countries of the Middle East. Mr. Semjen also informed His Holiness that the Armenian Church operating in Hungary has received state registration.

Mr. Zsolt Semjen also performed the duty of presenting the Patriarch of All Armenians with an honorary doctorate from Károli Gáspár University in Budapest. The ecumenical relations, as well as the life of the Armenian community in Hungary, were also discussed at the meeting.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Hungary Mr. Ashot Smbatyan and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to Armenia Ms. Anna Maria Shiko were also present at the meeting.

Source:
OCP News Services