Armenian Foreign Minister Meets Coptic Pope Tawadros II on Religious Minorities and Church Ties

On September 13, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsaknayan, who was on an official visit to Egypt, met with Pope Tawadros II, Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark.

Mnatsaknayan spoke about cooperation between religious communities and emphasized the steady strengthening of centuries-old Armenian-Coptic ties, which he said are anchored in spiritual values and traditional friendship.

The two discussed a number of issues concerning religious minorities, with particular attention to the importance of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence. They deplored the targeting of religious groups by terrorist and extremist groups and stressed the need to protect religious groups, including by guaranteeing their rights and preserving their religious and historical heritage. Mnatsaknayan said, “Armenia works through various international formats and platforms towards the protection of the rights of vulnerable national and religious minorities, ensuring the diversity of religions, in order to consolidate and strengthen their potential,” defending people who cannot always defend themselves (Psalm 82:3).

Mnatsaknayan also commended the hospitable attitude of the Egyptian authorities toward the Armenian community, which he said made an exclusive contribution to the establishment and development of the Egyptian state.

Tawadros II highlighted the sustained collaboration between the two sister churches, the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

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