YEREVAN. – Armenia has always attached importance to intercultural dialogue in religious dimension, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said.

Minister Nalbandian noted that respect for national identity, heritage, national, cultural and religious traditions is one of the main conditions for harmonious development and peaceful coexistence of societies.

Speaking during the conference “Freedom of religion in today’s world: challenges and guarantees”, Nalbandian said intolerance, xenophobia, discrimination, propaganda of hatred cause tension in the society.

The Minister emphasized that the history of mankind has repeatedly shown that a lack of diligence in the fight against such phenomena can disrupt the harmony in the society and threaten human rights.

Nalbandian expressed the hope that the next states assuming presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will continue to contribute to important dialogue of religious organizations in Europe.

Participants of the conference will discuss freedom of religion, fundamental human rights, the protection of religious minorities, the fight against xenophobia and hate, education and other issues.