On October 27, Forwign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of the Holy See Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, who was on a working visit in Armenia.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia highly assessed the positive dynamics of the development of the Armenian-Vatican interstate cooperation based on common values, strong historical-cultural ties, which is vividly proved by high-level mutual visits and contacts. Both sides expressed confidence that the opening of the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Armenia will give a new impetus to bilateral relations.

Edgar Pena Parra expressed the readiness of the Vatican side to continue cooperation with Armenia on various issues, including religious freedom and protection of human dignity.

Minister Ararat Mirzoyan noted with gratitude that the Holy See has always supported the Armenian people in difficult times. In this context, the importance of the messages of His Holiness the High Priest in the days of aggression against Artsakh and the calls for the immediate release of prisoners of war was stressed. The Armenian side also highlighted the importance of the unequivocal and principled position of the Holy See regarding the Armenian Genocide.

During the meeting, the issue of protection of the Armenian historical-cultural and religious heritage of Artsakh in the territories fallen under the control of Azerbaijan was touched upon.  Ararat Mirzoyan stressed the need to undertake joint steps aimed at preventing the atrocities against historical-cultural monuments and places of worship, which are a universal cultural and religious heritage.

After the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of the Holy See Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra participated in the cancellation ceremony of the souvenir sheet with two stamps under the headline: “Apostolic Journeys of the Roman Pontiffs to Armenia. Pilgrimage to the first Christian nation”.

The ceremony was followed by a joint statement for the press of Ararat Mirzoyan and Edgar Peña Parra. 

The official opening ceremony of the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Armenia took place on the same day.

In the morning, the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of the Holy See Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial and paid tribute to the memory of the innocent victims of the Genocide.