Press Statement
Attributable to the Spokesperson of the High Representative for the
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
on the Trilateral Meeting between the Religious Leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow
New York – 14 October 2021
The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos welcomes the meeting between the three religious leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan that took place in Moscow on 13 October 2021.
The High Representative is encouraged by this in-person trilateral meeting mediated by the Russian Orthodox Church which brought together His Holiness Patriarch Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and His Virtue Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims’ Board, He notes that the meeting is a first step towards building trust along the path of healing and reconciliation.
The High Representative commends His Holiness Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow and All Russia for his mediation efforts as well as the two religious leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia for their resolve to re-engage in a constructive dialogue and hopes that such dialogue will continue in the best interest of the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan and the region.
The High Representative reiterates his support for such dialogue and underlines his readiness to provide any further assistance needed to advance mutual respect and peaceful co-existence.