"Time is pressing for the establishment of a permanent CIS interfaith forum," said Mr Pasha-zade. "Terrorism and violence have become a visiting card of the new century," he said. "Religious leaders must, therefore, do everything possible to disarm evil forces spiritually and expose them." Mr Pasha-zade emphasized that the meeting involving the church leaders of all CIS countries was taking place for the first time in history. "We were born and lived in a single state. The CIS peoples must preserve and develop the good traditions of their mutual past," said Mr Pasha-zade.
Mr Pasha-zade thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for high assessment of the religious organizations' potential in promoting peace. Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev also attaches great significance to the Moscow religious forum, he added.
His Holiness Garegin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, also welcomed the idea of holding CIS interfaith forums and the CIS interfaith council, which will be set up at the Moscow forum. The Armenian church leader emphasized the importance of the future body's peacemaking mission.
