Baku Declaration

Baku Declaration on the basis of a trilateral meeting of His Holiness Patriarch Cyril, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pasha-zade

Following a tripartite meeting of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and Shaikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pasha-zade, which was held in Baku on 26 April 2010, adopted a joint declaration.

In the name of the Almighty Creator, in response to the dreams of our peoples for peace, prosperity and happiness, we, the spiritual leader of the Azerbaijani and Armenian people, with high mediation of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Cyril gathered in Baku, to pay their respects to each other and discuss the urgent measures to achieve a just peace and harmony among our peoples and states.

In considering this meeting as the development of peacekeeping ongoing dialogue between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Caucasus Muslims through the Russian Orthodox Church in 1988, faithful to the spirit of the previous declarations, we hope to continue to help advance the principles of peaceful coexistence between our peoples and to develop mutually acceptable solutions through negotiations . It is encouraging evidence that the tradition of meetings of the format in no small measure contributed to the cessation of armed stage of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, generated by the problem of Karabakh. These meetings undoubtedly helped to avoid the transition to the conflict in inter-religious confrontation.

Today it is particularly important to consider the follow spiritual guidelines of cooperation to overcome the estrangement between our nations. The potential of religion, calling for goodness, peace, compassion, patience, should be conciliatory force. We believe that our joint efforts will help to overcome inter-ethnic hostility. It is vital to prevent a return to military ways to resolve contentious issues. With its peacekeeping efforts, we will maintain hope people do not address the current divisions, barriers and hostility, for war, if continued, will have no end.

We support international efforts to resolve the conflict. In order to achieve peace and good communication should be expanded in order to build confidence. Lasting peace is possible only if there is goodwill and sincerity. Supporting the efforts of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, we intend to promote their aspirations. In this regard, an important extension of direct dialogue between religious leaders, to promote conflict resolution, which will enable people to return to the place whence they were driven out by war. We welcome the acts of goodwill the parties – the release of prisoners, and call for both political and religious leaders to intensify efforts in this noble and humane process. Each of us must demonstrate that good deeds, the ministry of charity, devotion to peace and justice can be done much more than military confrontation. We condemn the acts of vandalism and consider it important to the preservation of religious monuments and shrines of our peoples.

The way to achieve peace and harmony is not easy, requires much effort and strong will. But we have a fervent hope of success, and, uniting their efforts, we hope to overcome the alienation and prejudice. The responsibility and duty before God and before our people impel us, religious leaders, the efforts for the sake of the long-awaited triumph of the ideals of peace, kindness and fair resolution of existing problems. Let the blessed land of the Caucasus is established a lasting and just peace, and our people will inherit the welfare and prosperity.

Patriarch Moscow and All Russia Kirill

Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pasha-zade

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