On December 19, the leader of the Armenian Diocese of Romania, the representative of the Armenian Diocese of Bulgaria, and the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, met with the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Samvel Sahakyan, in Rome. They discussed the social-economic situation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as a result of the consequences of the Azerbaijani aggression and the ongoing programs aimed at the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage and the spiritual life of Artsakh.

Karekin II also participated in the meeting of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Armenian Diocese of Romania, where the challenges of preserving the historical and spiritual heritage of Artsakh and the support of the Armenian community were discussed.

During the meeting, the Catholicos stressed the importance of ensuring the security of the government buildings in Artsakh and the continued work of state, social,and cultural institutions, which are vital for maintaining the unity of the Armenian community and providing assistance for the full recovery of the region. It was noted that the Diaspora’s contribution to the ongoing programs for the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh and the moral and material support for the Armenian population should continue.

It was emphasized that scholars dedicated to protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of Artsakh and especially the endangered spiritual and cultural heritage should also carry out similar work in other countries, which play a significant role in raising international awareness about the situation and the urgent need for their protection.

At the end of the meeting, Catholicos Karekin II reaffirmed his readiness to address the existing challenges and resolve the current issues relating to the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage.