Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met today, Monday in Strasbourg with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the sidelines of his participation and speech at the Plenary of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Mr. Tsipras expressed his sincere condolences for the excommunication of His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, while they had the opportunity to talk about global developments, geopolitical instability, the rise of nationalism and wars in the region, especially in Ukraine and the Middle East. They focused on the need to protect minorities and especially Christian communities in the Middle East.

In this context, the former prime minister emphasized the even greater value of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s initiatives to promote interreligious dialogue and protect the environment.

Finally, they referred to the visit made in April 2016 by the Ecumenical Patriarch to Lesvosgiving, along with him Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Athensa message of support for the efforts made by the Greek people in the refugee issue, as well as of solidarity and humanity against xenophobia and hatred.