April 26, 2005

Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), took part in the ceremonies commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide in Erevan and Etchmiadzin, Armenia, on 24 April 2005.

During the Divine Liturgy in the cathedral of Etchmiadzin, Rev. de Clermont presented a statement on the Armenian genocide issued by the Presidium of CEC earlier in April.

In a private meeting, Rev. de Clermont personally handed a copy of the statement to His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

During a ceremony in the cathedral of Erevan, in the presence of the President of the Armenian Republic, the members of the Government, the diplomatic corps, and a large congregation, church representatives along with Rev. de Clermont offered prayers of intercession each in their own language. The Orthodox Churches of Russia, Greece, and Romania as well as the Syrian Orthodox and Anglican Churches were represented.

Answering questions from journalists, Rev. de Clermont underlined that, for CEC member churches, the recognition by Turkey of the 1915 genocide and the respect for the values upon which the European Union is founded are pre-conditions for the accession of Turkey to the EU. He also noted that atrocities on the territory of today's Turkey were not only committed against Armenians but also against other Christian and ethnic minorities, in particular Greek and Syrian.

Conference of European Churches
The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 125 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.