PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW: As a matter of courtesy, I wanted Foreign Minister Avramopoulos to speak first, but as he has the graciousness to give the floor to me, the host, I express our great pleasure and satisfaction here at the Ecumenical Patriarchate at once again welcoming the Minister and our old friend, in his new capacity of Greek Foreign Minister.
His appointment to this position, at this vital Ministry, gave great pleasure, satisfaction, relief to many, including at the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
As I have already said, I have known Mr. Avramopoulos for many years, we are friends; he repeatedly helped the Ecumenical Patriarchate when he was the mayor of Athens, and he welcomed me and honoured me at the Athens Town Hall, and later in various positions that he held in Greek politics, placed there by the people, and he always rose to the task, with the Ecumenical Patriarchate among his priorities. That is why I take the opportunity today to express the gratitude of the institution and the person. I wish him – in the difficult task he has undertaken, every success and every blessing of God.
We are all certain that he will act in the best possible way for Greece, for world peace, and particularly for cooperation, for good neighbourly relations and creative cooperation between Greece and Turkey.
He is greatly appreciated here by the Turkish political world. This was clear from the statements of the Turkish politicians and from the Turkish media, which expressed the common sentiment, the public opinion, of the country on the occasion of his appointment to the Foreign Ministry. And all this fills us with joy and satisfaction and optimism for the future – for our Patriarchate, for Greek-Turkish relations, for Greek Foreign policy, for world peace.
Thank you, Mr. Minister.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Thank you, Your All Holiness. the thoughts and hearts of all Greeks are with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and yourself.
My presence here today, on the occasion of my participation in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Conference, brought me once again to the Patriarchate to express once again the undivided support, love and respect of the Greek state and all of us.
This historic institution, through its difficulties and precarious paths, continues to hold high the flag of tradition and Orthodoxy. It is true that the Patriarchate, beyond its historical role, has also contributed decisively to the shaping of a new environment in our wider region. I want to say that the creation of an environment of stability, peace and friendship with our neighbouring Turkish people was always among our priorities.
At the same time, we must acknowledge that our homeland is currently going through difficult times. Our society is suffering, and a new government that expresses national unity has drawn up a programme that will once again open the way to optimism and development and progress.
This really is a difficult task. We have undertaken it. We have all shouldered it with a sense of public and national duty, and we want your blessing and thoughts in order to succeed, in the name of our people’s aspirations. Finally, I want to assure you that we will always be at your side, spiritually and substantially, so that you can continue to carry out your vital and beneficent mission unhindered.
So, with much love and respect, to you personally and to the institution of your Patriarchate, I was please we shared our thoughts today in the wonderful talks we had earlier, and I am sure that in the future we will have many additional opportunities to renew our spiritual communication and, mainly, to strengthen even further the ties of this historic institution with our homeland. We wish you health, strength and inspiration.
PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW: And our hopes and prayers are with you, for the Prime Minister, for the recovery of his precious health, we pray for the Greek people.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Thank you very much.
June 25, 2012