The Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met in the afternoon at the Maximos Palace, with the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomew, as part of his visit to Athens to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his election to the Ecumenical Throne.
The following dialogue followed at the beginning of the meeting:
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: “How glad I am, Your Holiness, that I welcome you to Athens, at the Maximos Palace, interpreting I believe the feelings of love and appreciation of all Greeks.
This is a very important visit that you make, which coincides with the 30 years of your great ministry. And I am personally very excited to be given the opportunity to officially welcome you in the capacity I hold. We will again have the opportunity to have a very substantive discussion.
I still remember, with great feelings, the visit I made to your place, Imbros, and how warmly you welcomed me. And indeed it is a great moment, I believe, your visit for all Greeks.
Ecumenical Patriarch: And this time as Prime Minister to come to us again, will be a great help for the few Christians who remained there.
I express, Your Excellency, the best feelings of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. To me personally and to my companions, Holy High Priests, to your person and to the work that your government is carrying out for the good of the Greek people, for the Orthodox everywhere, for the Presbyterian Presbyteria. We are grateful to you.
This time I came to Greece at the invitation of His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens, my dear brother Mr. Jerome, with whom we had the blessing of God to work together yesterday, in the midst of a dense church. And to celebrate the 30 years that God required me to spend – until today – on the Patriarchal Throne.
I try to do the best I can for the Church and for our nation. Always with the help of the Greek Government, the Church of Greece and all the good Orthodox brothers everywhere, who respect and honor our Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Thank you that in your many occupations, I just saw that you were speaking in Parliament, you provided time for me and my entourage. We will definitely have to exchange many things of common interest.
Thank you, then, for this opportunity to give me and please convey my best wishes to your family and to your Ministers and the blessing of the mother Church to the Greek people.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: Thank you very much”.
The Prime Minister wished the Ecumenical Patriarch the anniversary of his Patriarchal ministry and thanked him for the excellent way in which he responded to his high mission. During the meeting, the two men exchanged views on outstanding issues concerning the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek minority in Turkey. A major issue is, among other things, the reopening of the Halki Theological School. The Patriarch informed Kyriakos Mitsotakis about the latest developments following his recent visit to the United States and his contacts with the American leadership.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis assured His Holiness for the continued support of Greece at bilateral and international level in the just demands of the Ecumenical Throne related to the religious freedom of Orthodox Christians in Turkey, reiterated his unwavering support for the continuing to defend the prestige of the Patriarchate and its historical rights. He also stressed that the reopening of the Halki School remains a high priority.
Finally, the Prime Minister thanked His Holiness for the excellent communication between them, reiterated the feelings of high appreciation he has for His face and expressed satisfaction for the mutually beneficial exchange of thoughts and opinions.
.
