Azerbaijan, Baku, April 26 / Trend M.Aliyev /
"The principles of humanism are one and spiritual leaders must strengthen interethnic relations in the interests of humanity," Catholikos of All-Armenia Karekin II said at the Baku World Religious Leaders Summit today.
"Being in Baku, we give praise to God for that the peace talks on Nagorno Karabakh continue," he said.
Karekin II also noted the Russian Orthodox Church's efforts at mediation.
"The authorities of our countries [Azerbaijan and Armenia] continue the negotiation process to resolve the conflict, and the two countries religious leaders support our presidents' efforts toward a peaceful settlement," he added.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.
Karekin II offered to hold the next summit in Armenia, and invited Caucasus Muslims Organization (CMO) head Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade to participate in this meeting.