During the official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan today met with Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb, as reported the news service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, importance was attached to the centuries-old friendship between Armenia and Egypt that is hinged on solidarity and mutual respect of the two nations.

“The warm and generous attitude of the Egyptian government towards the Armenian community is truly appreciable, thanks to which the Armenians were able to preserve their language, culture, religion and national identity,” Mnatsakanyan said, adding that ‘from the perspective of religious tolerance and protection of the rights of minorities, Egypt’s experience can set a good example’.

The parties expressed concern about crimes with motives of extremism and manifestations of discrimination based on religion and speculation of religion for political motives. Minister Mnatsakanyan stated that Armenia is consistently working for protection of the rights of religious groups and ensuring of diversity of religions in different international formats.