YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, representative of the Armenian Church at the Vatican and Shahe Ananyan, Director of the Inter-Church relations Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin met with Turkish foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara on February 4. Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul, Archbishop Aram Ateshian was also present at the meeting, ARMENPRESS reports, “Agos” periodical informs.

The issue of the election of the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul was discussed at the meeting. The statement issued by the Patriarchate notes that a sincere dialogue took place during the meeting that lasted an hour, during which Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that the state is interested in the issue of the elections of the Patriarch and follows the developments. He also said that it’e necessary to be patient for reaching a solution.

Speaking about the meeting, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian  said, “The minister received us very warmly and I made it clear that my goal is not interfering from outside, but expressing our concerns and understanding the ways we can be useful. The minister said that he also understands that it’s a problem and noted that the state also wants the Patriarchal elections to take place, but it’e necessary to wait a little for that”.

Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul Mesrop Mutafian cannot fulfill his duties due to illness.

The Istanbul Governorate has not recognized the election of Archbishop Garegin Bekchian, as locum tenens of the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan