Call for the Release of Detainees by Spiritual Leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan

Religious leaders are ready to support the reconciliation of the peoples of Azerbaijan and Armenia for the welfare and prosperity of current and future generations. This was stated in a declaration released after a trilateral meeting today by the Patriarch of All Russia, Kirill. Sputnik Armenia reports.

The patriarch noted that religions possess an exceptional peacekeeping potential, especially in interethnic relations.

“No matter how complex Armenian-Azerbaijani relations may be at this stage, we believe that faith and love for God can help heal the wounds inflicted by years of tragic confrontation. This is a very difficult path, requiring spiritual wisdom and depth,” the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church said.

According to him, the Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples have no future other than coexistence side by side.

“It is especially important today to restore trust toward one another, for people to learn again to perceive their neighbors with respect and a readiness to help,” the patriarch emphasized.

He called for clarifying the fate of the missing, promoting the process of releasing prisoners of war, and preventing the use of weapons that threaten the lives of peaceful citizens.

“We must strive to avoid the language of hatred, to refrain from calls for military actions in the conflict zone. The Russian Orthodox Church prays for the reconciliation of its two friendly peoples and is ready to support every effort to establish a firm and just peace in the South Caucasus,” the statement concluded.