E. VENIZELOS: His Beatitude and I cooperate very closely, because he monitors the issues that concern an exceptionally critical region. He is fully apprised of the developments in Egypt, where he is a major and broadly recognized figure. He has very close relations with General El-Sisi, who is one of the candidates for president of Egypt, and of course he follows all the issues on the great African continent very closely.
We had the opportunity to talk about ecclesiastical issues as well, following the Synaxis of the Primates of the Orthodox Churches, in Istanbul, as well issues of Mediterranean and African policy, which are of very great importance, and I thank him warmly for his help.
PATRIARCH THEODOROS II: And I, my dear President, want to express my gratitude. I am the Patriarch of the poor on the continent of the future, Africa. And a short time ago I was in Mozambique, on the islands of the Indian Ocean, to help as much as I can. And I thank you because you heard me regarding the difficult days the people of the Middle East – and particularly of the country where I live, Egypt – are going through.
I had the great pleasure, last Saturday, of receiving the Prime Minister of Egypt, who referred once again to the ties of friendship between Greece and Egypt. I always like to say that the western sea does not separate us, but brings us together, also because of Crete. That is why I thank you greatly. Returning to my home shortly, I know that you in my homeland are thinking of me, and this gives me courage to continue a beautiful struggle for the friendship of peoples and the good of the planet.
March 28, 2014