Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Bolaris meets with U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt (Athens, 21/02/2019)

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Bolaris meets with U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt (Athens, 21/02/2019)

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Bolaris received U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. Talks revolved around current issues included in the Deputy Minister's portfolio, with particular emphasis on cultural and religious issues.

The Deputy Minister referred to the priorities of cultural, environmental, and religious diplomacy, and focused on initiatives undertaken for common cultural projects with Italy, Egypt, Turkey, and Israel. He underscored the positive impact of the Prime Minister's recent visit to Ankara and Istanbul, stressing the positive prospects that are created for reopening of the Theological School of Halki. Additionally, he noted the strengthening of prospects for collaboration with North Macedonia, following resolution of the name dispute, on economy, development, and energy issues, and of course the challenges to cooperation on cultural, educational, athletic, and ecclesiastical issues.

The US Ambassador reiterated the US Government’s firm position with regard to the reopening of the Patriarchal Theological School at Halki. Subsequently, he underscored the great positive impact on international public opinion as a result of resolution of the long-standing pending issues related to the Prespa Agreement, and the prospects this opens up for peace and growth in South-eastern Europe. The Ambassador made special reference to Mount Athos as a spiritual centre of Orthodox Monasticism and the great interest on the part of American citizens in this.

Finally, the Deputy Minister briefed the Ambassador on the two-day conference which is being organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 28 February and 1 March on “ Policy Principles and proposals on forging a Strategy for the exercise of Religious and Ecclesiastical Diplomacy” in which ecclesiastical organisations of all religions that are active in Greece will participate. The Deputy Minister invited the US Ambassador to attend the conference. Accepting the invitation, the Ambassador expressed his support for the event, while referring to the great interest shown by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on issues of religious liberty.

Finally, Ambassador Pyatt expressed the intention of the U.S. to maintain the positive momentum in Greek-American relations, especially after this year's successful Thessaloniki International Fair, where the United States of America were the honoured country.