Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II received a delegation led by Dimitris Dimitriadis, Chair of the External Relations Section of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The delegation was accompanied by Vassilis Maragos, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia and EU Ambassador.
During the meeting, Garegin II expressed concern over Armenia’s current security challenges, the destruction and appropriation of Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage in Artsakh, and the continued detention of Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan. He stressed the importance of sustained international efforts to curb Azerbaijan’s aggressive policies and help restore peace in the region, according to the Mother See press service.
The Catholicos also praised the EESC’s ongoing work in promoting economic stability, social justice, and the protection of rights, underlining the urgent need to address the plight of forcibly displaced Armenians from Artsakh.
In response, Mr. Dimitriadis thanked His Holiness for the reception and outlined the committee’s current programs and potential avenues for enhancing Armenia-EU socio-economic dialogue.
Earlier, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated he had urged Azerbaijani presidential advisor Hikmet Hajiyev to release the prisoners and finalize the peace treaty with Armenia.
In addition, attorney Jared Genser, representing Ruben Vardanyan, called on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to pay close attention to statements by U.S. President Donald Trump and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
