April 26, the trilateral meeting of Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani religious leaders — Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus Kirill I and Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh was held on the sidelines of Religious Leaders World Summit in Baku.

Karekin II received an unfriendly welcome facing a protest action in Baku.

The meeting held in Gyulistan Palace behind the closed doors was not attended by Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II due to health reasons.

The religious leaders signed a declaration on the basis of a the meeting, Azerbaijani Trend.az agency reports.

“I think that it is correct and timely initiative of the trilateral meeting, which was held and crowned with success of signing of a joint declaration,” Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus Kirill I told the journalists after signing ceremony, Azerbaijani Trend.az agency reports.

According to him, religious leaders have no political power and cannot “guide the troops”. “However, they have a special opportunity to appeal to those values that are very close to believers. And the fact that representatives of different religions met and agreed on many important issues is an important signal to all believers,” Kirill I said.

He also expressed the hope that these signals will contribute to reconciliation, reduce tension in the region and create a good atmosphere for political leaders to come to an agreed outcome claiming full responsibility for the political settlement to the conflict.

L.A.