Athens highlights Ecumenical Patriarchate issue

[Ellinas]

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni has addressed a letter to EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn to brief him on problems faced by the Constantinople-based Ecumenical Patriarchate, particularly with regard to the Patriarchate's operation and the Turkish state's non-recognition of its ecumenical nature, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

Referring to Greece's initiatives on the specific issue, spokesman Georgιos Koumoutsakos told a regular press briefing that FM Bakoyannis will also inform her EU counterparts during a Council of Foreign Ministers/ General Affairs meeting in Brussels on Monday.

In addition, Greek diplomats abroad have been instructed to fully explain the issue to other governments

"The Ecumenical Patriarchate is not just a Greek-Turkish issue, it concerns Europe and the international community as well," said Koumoutsakos, adding that Athens' initiatives are being undertaken on this basis, while reiterating that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is undoubtedly an issue of major Greek interest.

ANA-MPA/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU.