AZERBAIJANI, ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN RELIGIOUS LEADERS MEET - UPDATE - PHOTOS

The document says that the religious leaders of the three countries support international efforts to resolve the conflict and stress the need for expansion of communication in order to strengthen confidence to achieve peace and good neighborliness.

"Supporting the efforts of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents, we intend to contribute to their aspirations; therefore we consider it important to continue the dialogue between religious leaders in order to help resolve the conflict, which will enable people to return to the places, from where they were expelled. We welcome the acts of goodwill of the sides - the release of prisoners, and call on both political and religious leaders to intensify their efforts in this noble and humane process, we condemn the acts of vandalism and consider it important to preserve religious monuments and sacred places of our peoples," the document says.

"The path to peace is not easy, but we have a fervent hope of success, and, uniting our efforts, we hope to overcome the estrangement and prejudice. Let the blessed land of the Caucasus has a lasting and just peace, and our people will inherit the welfare and prosperity," it said in a document.

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15:12

Religious leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia signed a declaration after a trilateral meeting in Baku.

"I think it is correct and timely initiative of the trilateral meeting, which was held and crowned with success of signing of a joint declaration," Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill said to journalists after signing ceremony.

According to him, religious leaders have no political power and can not "guide the troops".

"But they have a special opportunity to appeal to those values that are very close to believers. And the fact that representatives of different religions met and agreed on many important issues is an important signal to all believers," Kirill said.

The Patriarch expressed the hope that these signals will contribute to reconciliation, reduce tension in the region and create a good atmosphere for political leaders in order to come to an agreed outcome taking full responsibility for the political settlement of the conflict.

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13:28

"The process of discussion of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been intensified. Leaders of countries played the significant role," Patriarch Kirill said.

He said that despite the difficulties, there are prospects for resolving of the conflict. "We are not political leaders. But as religious leaders, we can influence the resolving of the conflict with our prayers", the Patriarch said.

The head of the Caucasian Muslims Office thanked the head of the Russian Orthodox Church for the mediation efforts, which did not allow this question to have religious character.

"I believe that all problems in the Caucasus, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved in peaceful and fair manner. I am sure that you [Karekin II] will also make efforts for this problem not to have a religious character," Pashazade said.

The main thing is to continue efforts towards the resolving of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, His Holiness Karekin II said at a meeting.

"We are servants of the God's Word. As religious leaders we must unite efforts to establish peace in Karabakh. We must prevent the possibility of transforming the conflict into a religious confrontation. I am sure that this is the case when we can encourage our people to peace," Karekin II said.

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12:35

A trilateral meeting of religious leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia is being hosted in Baku.

Head of the Caucasus Moslems Clerical Office Sheik ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill met within participation in the World Summit of world religious leaders.


/Trend/

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