|
The Cilician Brotherhood of the Holy See of Cilicia, presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, convened on the evening of Friday, October 6th, 2023, in Antelias.
During this gathering, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I shared his thoughts on the current situation in Artsakh and Armenia caused by the latest Azerbaijani aggression. He expressed the profound sorrow and emotional turmoil experienced by Armenians worldwide and emphasized the urgent need to provide humanitarian aid to the forcibly displaced Armenians of Artsakh. He stated that the evolving situation demands that Armenia closely monitor geopolitical developments and adopt a balanced political approach, considering the consequences of disproportionate actions.
In light of these challenges, the Catholicos stressed the importance of a new strategic approach, grounded in realism, focusing on the following three key priorities:
- Freedom for the Armenian Prisoners of War and Artsakh leaders held captive by Azerbaijan
- The extension of humanitarian assistance to the people of Artsakh
- A guarantee by the international community of the right of the indigenous people of Artsakh to return to their homeland
The Cilician Brotherhood expressed deep concern over Azerbaijan’s aggression against the peaceful Armenians of Artsakh, which has led to the ethnic cleansing of indigenous Armenians from their ancestral land. Furthermore, it denounced Azerbaijan’s abduction of former and current state officials of Artsakh and ongoing threats against the Republic of Armenia.
The Brotherhood called upon the Armenian authorities to prioritize assistance programs for Artsakh families who sought refuge in Armenia and appealed to the international community to provide necessary support.
