"To tolerate means to put up with situation"
Serzh Sargsyan today attended the sitting of the Presidium of the CIS Inter-Religious Council which features leaders and representatives of religions from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
"The CIS Inter-Religious Council is a unique collective force, which symbolizes the power of peaceful co-existence of different religions, their tolerance and reciprocal respect for each other," Sargsyan said in his opening remarks.
"The theme of tolerance is often discussed in the modern world but they forget that "tolerance" implies that "one puts up with the situation" which is not always pleasant," he said.
According to the Armenian leader, Armenia has made a historic and irreversible decision to develop in the spirit of cooperation with its neighbors, friends and all humanity.
"We consider that all issues should be solved through negotiations and cooperation, not threats and increase of tension. We have always been ready to offer our friendship even not being sure we would get a positive response. No doubt, the disappointment after such a serious decision can be despairing," he said.
"You know that the conflict of Nagorno Karabakh is our great pain. The only realistic way is the negotiation process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. Armenia will steadily move along that path, since the alternative to it will not benefit either us, or the neighboring nation.
"Negotiations on such a serious and complex issue require patience and adherence to principles. The conflict is not a religious one, and all attempts to ascribe a religious nature to it are unconstructive. The two great religions - Christianity and Islam - should not be allowed to confront each other. Moreover, we consider unacceptable the destruction of monuments of historical, cultural and spiritual heritage under the guise of the conflict," Serzh Sargsyan stated.
"Before this important audience, in the name of the Republic of Armenia, I reaffirm our commitment to preserve and, if necessary, restore all such values. The best proof of this policy of ours is the 18th-century monument, the Blue Mosque, adorning the center of the Armenian capital, Yerevan," he concluded.
Serzh Sargsyan welcomed the dialogue between the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, and the Leader of Caucasian Muslims Allahshukur Pashazade with the mediation of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
