K. TSIARAS: I was greatly moved and felt great reverence at this opportunity to visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and meet with and talk to His All Holiness the Patriarch of the Ecumenical Throne. The unbroken continuity of the functioning of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – a living link with Global Orthodox Hellenism, and the true guardian of our religious faith – is of great importance to all of us.
We have noted the positive steps that have been taken by the Turkish side recently, in this effort to ensure the just demands concerning the continued functioning of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and I want to assure everyone that Greece continues to support the Ecumenical Patriarch and all the Fathers who together with Him are striving in these truly difficult times.
Support for and the continued functioning of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is an important priority of Greek policy.
JOURNALIST: What is the Greek government’s response to what Mr. Bagis, other Ministers, and the Turkish political leadership are saying: “Halki for a mosque”?
K. TSIARAS: The reopening of the Halki Seminary, a petition that has been promoted intensely in recent years by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is not a matter of reciprocity, as some claim. Very simply, one might see this and identify it on two axes: on that of the expressed effort on everyone’s part to note and respect religious freedoms, but even more so on that of a matter concerning the Turkish side and its European perspective. If one looks at this particular issue from these two perspectives, it is easy to reach a conclusion: it is not a matter of mutuality.
JOURNALIST: Is Athens doing anything with regard to the much-discussed mosque they want built? Has there been any movement on that?
K. TSIARAS: Of late, the Greek state has looked favorably on this particular petition, but of course while trying to ensure the terms and appropriate conditions that will enable those who want to visit the mosque and satisfy their religious needs to do so without the creation of other types of problems. It is, if you will, a petition that is being considered favorably of late, and we are in the direction of seeking a solution.
JOURNALIST: Mr. Minister, will you go to the Great School tomorrow, to the Theological School?
K. TSIARAS: We will go to Halki tomorrow, we will see the Greek community organizations, I will see the Prefect of Istanbul, and on Friday morning I will attend the Mass celebrating the Feast of the Cross.
JOURNALIST: Won’t you meet with any other politician? Only with the Prefect of Istanbul?
K. TSIARAS: The main aim of my visit to Istanbul was to be close to the Ecumenical Patriarch, mainly through the religious event of the Mass for the Feast of the Cross.
JOURNALIST: Thank you very much.
K. TSIARAS: And I thank you very much.
September 12, 2012