Azernews.Az

MOSCOW – Azerbaijani and Armenian clerical leaders’ mutual visits will allow to launch a new stage in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, a Russian Orthodox Church official has said.

"We are currently arranging a meeting of the CIS Inter-Religious Council’s steering board, due in Yerevan on November 28," Roman Silantyev told Interfax Azerbaijan news agency. "Just like the Baku visit of [Armenian Catholicos] Garegin II, this will be an historic visit by Sheikh [Allahshukur Pashazada, who chairs the Caucasus Muslims Office] to Armenia."

Silantyev did not rule out provocations over the visit.

"Naturally, there could be some provocations, distorted interpretations…But if everything proceeds normally, I hope that a new stage will begin in the resolution of conflicts. The role of religious diplomacy has been increasing by the year. The voice of clerical leaders is beginning to sound more loudly not only in the former Soviet countries but the whole world."

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war in the early 1990s that ended with the signing of a precarious cease-fire. Armenian armed forces have since occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno Karabakh.

Silantyev said that some forces in Russia, for instance, Council of Muftis, have been vigorously trying to counter the Caucasus Muslims Office.

Silantyev also said that some Russian officials are seeking to present the CMO as "a dubious foreign organization". Therefore, the CMO should step up efforts to convey its stance to Russia’s Muslims, he added.