ETCHMIADZIN. – The Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, on Friday received Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. 

The Catholicos gave a high assessment to the warm relations between Armenia and Turkmenistan, and expressed confidence that Berdimuhamedow’s visit to Armenia will give a new impetus to further improving ties, Information System of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin informs. Also, Karekin II appreciated the Turkmen President’s caring disposition toward the Armenian community in Turkmenistan. In this connection, he asked Berdimuhamedow to enable the restoration of Turkmenistan’s Armenian church, which was destroyed during the Soviet era.   

In his turn, Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow expressed a satisfaction by the results of his visit to Armenia. And in response to the Catholicos’ request, he instructed his government representatives, who were attending the talk, to positively resolve the matter of the Armenian church in Turkmenistan. Also, Berdimuhamedow invited Karekin II to Turkmenistan on a visit.      

At the end of the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians wished a successful presidency to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.