Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in Vatican on an official visit, met with Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Secretary of State of the Holy See, on Tuesday, the press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry informed NEWS.am.

Underlining that the visit takes place on the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the Holy See, the interlocutors noted with satisfaction that bilateral relations based on Christian values and historical and cultural ties are dynamically developing. In that context, Minister Mirzoyan stressed Pietro Parolin's significant contribution to the development of bilateral relations.

The sides noted that the high-level visits and meetings between Armenia and the Holy See, which are ongoing, are clear evidence of an effective dialogue.

The sides discussed also possibilities for the strengthening and expansion of cooperation in international organizations, taking into consideration the identical approaches of the sides towards the current issues on the international agenda.

During the meeting the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs presented the Armenian side's positions on the issues related to the security and stability in the South Caucasus.

Mirzoyan presented the consequences of the latest aggression committed by the Azerbaijani armed forces against the sovereign territory of Armenia, stressing the imperative to withdraw the Azerbaijani armed forces, the immediate return of all Armenian POWs and the urgent implementation of the ceasefire.

The Armenian side underlined that the main obstacle to peace in the region was Azerbaijan's radical claims and ambitions to solve issues through the use or threat of use of force.

The sides touched upon the protection of Armenian spiritual and cultural-historical monuments from the distortion of identity and destruction in the territories that have come under Azerbaijani control. In this regard, the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that Azerbaijan still prevents the visit of the UNESCO assessment mission to Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories.