WCC News: As renewed conflict broke out in Nagorno-Karabakh today, a WCC delegation was at the border at the approach to the Lachin corridor

At the midpoint of a four-day visit, the ecumenical solidarity delegation has lived the hopes and fears of the people of the region.  An area close to the border of the Lachin corridor. Photo: WCC 19 September 2023 Yesterday, on 18 September, delegation members met with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Armenia and learned of a potential breakthrough in the longstanding blockade of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, due to two trucks loaded with essential humanitarian supplies having finally been able to enter the territory that morning for the first time since mid-June. However, as the delegation approached the entry to the Lachin Corridor today, they were unable to proceed due to the sudden resumption of shelling of Stepanakert by Azerbaijani armed forces. The WCC delegation comprises Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary, His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, vice moderator of the WCC central committee, and Rev. Rita Famos, president of the Protestant Church of Switzerland, accompanied by Peter Prove, director, WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs; Carla Khijoyan, WCC program executive for the Middle East; and Dr Ani Ghazaryan Drissi, WCC program executive for the WCC Faith and Order Commission.  The delegation met with H.H. Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, at the beginning of their visit for exchange of information and analysis of the current situation in the region. His Holiness expressed his gratitude for the ecumenical solidarity and support conveyed by the delegation. Speaking today on behalf of the delegation, general secretary Pillay appealed urgently for “the cessation of the attack on Stepanakert, and for the government of Azerbaijan to engage in genuine and meaningful dialogue with the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh for a just and sustainable peace in full compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law.” The WCC delegation’s visit continues until 21 September, with meetings scheduled with officials of the government of Armenia, and with representatives of the international community, as well as with the WCC’s member church – the Armenian Apostolic Church – and ecumenical partners in Armenia. WCC delegation, in Armenia, reaches Lachin area, sees humanitarian aid being blocked (WCC news release, 19 September 2023) Ecumenical delegation visits Armenia (WCC photo essay, 19 September 2023) Photos from the WCC visit to Armenia WCC delegation to visit Armenia (WCC news release, 15 September 2023) In joint letter to European Union, WCC and Conference of European Churches urge lifting blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh (WCC news release, 04 August 2023) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland