“We believe that disagreements and problems should be solved through contacts, negotiations and cooperation and not through threats or increased tension. We have been ready to offer hand of friendship even in the times when we were not sure that the response would be equipollent. Disappointment felt after making such difficult decisions is, of course, can be very discouraging. You are aware that the Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh conflict is a great pain for us. And things I have said, first of all pertain to that problem. The process of peaceful negotiations conducted in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group is the only practical way to solve it. Armenia will move steadfastly in that direction since any alternative will bring no benefit to us or to the neighboring nation. Negotiations over such a tangled and compound problem require patience and adherence to principles. Among our principled approaches I would like to underscore that this conflict is not of religious nature and any attempt to provide it with a religious lining is unconstructive. It shouldn’t be allowed that our two great religions – Christianity and Islam, which are professed by our nations, are set off against each other. Even more inadmissible are the actions perpetrated under the cover of the conflict which are aimed at the destruction of the monuments of historical, cultural and spiritual heritage. I believe that morality and faith are interrelated. I think that without faith, without spiritual vision a person is not able to open all of his potential, to move forward unimpeded, develop and improve. In the modern complex and boisterous world you are beacons for the thousands of believers who need your wisdom and your sublimity. Your cooperation and unity have critical importance for your followers. I am confident that these issues too will be discussed during this conference,” in Yerevan stated President Serzh Sargsyan at the session of the Presidium of the CIS Interfaith Council, which hosted Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Sheikh-Ul-Islam, Head of Administration of Muslims of the Caucasus Allashukyur Pashazade and many distinguished leaders of religious denominations.
