The International Ecumenical Conference was held recently by the Middle East Council of Churches in cooperation with the World Council of Churches, Christian Post reports.

Archbishop Avak Asaduryan, representative of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Iraq, also delivered a speech at the event saying: “We came as citizens and are always ready to carry out the duties citizenship to our country, our land, our history and our common heritage.”

“In the modern nation state, it is not acceptable to use of the term ‘minority’ to describe citizens with national, religious or sectarian characteristics. This violates the principle of equal citizenship,” Archbishop Asaduryan added.