His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians received a Belgian delegation led by Mark Demesmaeker, head of the Belgian-Armenian Friendship Group of the Belgian Parliament at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, on Friday.

Welcoming the Belgian Parliamentary delegation, Karekin II thanked Belgium for recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide, as well as for supporting Armenia and the Armenian people in these difficult days.

Speaking about the 44-day war and military operations unleashed by Azerbaijan on September 13, the Catholicos of All Armenians mentioned that the Armenian nation had suffered territorial and human losses, there were migrants and prisoners still being held in Azerbaijan. He also mentioned facts of destruction and appropriation of Armenian spiritual and cultural heritage in territories under Azerbaijani control.

Garegin II stressed the importance of a clear stance by the international community and friendly countries, which will result in stopping Azerbaijan's ongoing aggression.

In his turn, Demesmaeker noted that Armenia and Belgium, as Christian countries, have the same system of values, which further strengthens the friendship between the two countries. He expressed concern over the situation prevailing in the region, noting that Belgium is also taking steps to establish peace and stability.