We laud Iran's principled position during the 44-day war and its efforts to establish peace. This is noted in the message by the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, addressed to the participants in Wednesday’s international conference in Yerevan, entitled "Armenia-Iran: Historical Past and Present," and dedicated to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The message also states as follows:

"The relations between Iran and Armenia are a vivid manifestation of the good-neighborliness of two [different] civilizations and religions. The 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Iran is a good opportunity to develop cooperation in order to overcome challenges in a world where double standards are manifested, the rights of individuals and peoples are violated. In such conditions, cooperation for the sake of peace becomes urgent.

It is gratifying that the close cultural relations contribute to the strengthening of the centuries-old ties between the two countries. The development of this direction should become the basis for building lasting peace in the region, a vivid example of which is the bilateral relations as a vivid manifestation of the good-neighborliness of the two [different] civilizations and religions. We thank Iran for its special treatment of and attention to Armenian cultural monuments."