ETCHMIADZIN. – Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II on Friday hosted, at Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Patrik Svensson, the newly appointed Ambassador of Sweden to Armenia, reported the Information Services of the Mother See.

At the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians, referring to the external and internal challenges facing the Armenian people, expressed his gratitude to Sweden, as well as to the international diplomatic missions for their support and assistance to Armenia during the difficult days of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war last fall, and the post-war period.

His Holiness expressed his gratitude to the Swedish authorities for their caring attitude towards the Swedish Armenian community, and for granting them the opportunity to live a national and spiritual life.

The Catholicos of All Armenians noted that the Mother See is ready to cooperate with the Swedish Embassy in various spheres.

In turn, Ambassador Svensson expressed hope that the Armenian people will be able to overcome all the difficulties they face after the war. Also, the diplomat emphasized that he was very impressed with Armenia and the hospitality of the Armenian people. Patrik Svensson assured the Catholicos that the Swedish Embassy will contribute to further deepening and developing of Armenian-Swedish relations in various fields, implementing a number of programs.

During the conversation, the Catholicos presented to the Swedish Ambassador the role of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin in the life of the Armenian people, and its current activities, emphasizing the importance of the preservation and application of Christian values.