YEREVAN. – Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan on Tuesday had a meeting—in the Vatican—with the Substitute (Deputy Prime Minister) for the Secretariat of State for General Affairs of the Holy See, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, and some other high-ranking representatives of the Holy See.

The interlocutors warmly recalled Archbishop Parra's visit to Armenia about a year ago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The sides highly appreciated the relations between Armenia and the Holy See, based on historical ties and common values, and addressed issues on the bilateral agenda.

Also, Archbishop Parra was awarded the Order of Friendship for his significant contribution to the development and strengthening of interstate relations between Armenia and the Holy See.

During the meeting, FM Mirzoyan briefed upon the situation in the South Caucasus, as well as the positions of the Armenian side on achieving peace and security in the region.

Touching upon humanitarian issues, Mirzoyan emphasized the need for the immediate release of the Armenian prisoners of war and civilians illegally held in Azerbaijan, and the preservation of the Armenian historical and cultural heritage in the territories that have fallen under Azerbaijani control.